Skip to main content
Ch. 3 The Cell
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksAmerman 2nd EditionCh. 3 The CellProblem 5d
Chapter 3, Problem 5d

Mark the following statements about the plasma membrane as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
Membrane proteins often function as channels or carriers.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of membrane proteins: Membrane proteins are integral or peripheral proteins embedded in or associated with the plasma membrane. They play various roles, including acting as channels or carriers to facilitate the movement of substances across the membrane.
Evaluate the statement: 'Membrane proteins often function as channels or carriers.' This statement is true because many membrane proteins are specifically designed to transport ions, molecules, or other substances across the plasma membrane.
Clarify the function of channels: Channel proteins form pores or openings in the membrane that allow specific ions or molecules to pass through, typically following their concentration gradient.
Clarify the function of carriers: Carrier proteins bind to specific substances on one side of the membrane, undergo a conformational change, and release the substance on the other side, often facilitating active or passive transport.
Conclude the evaluation: Since the statement is accurate, no correction is needed. Membrane proteins indeed often function as channels or carriers to support cellular transport processes.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Plasma Membrane Structure

The plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer that surrounds and protects the cell, providing a barrier between the internal environment and the external surroundings. It is embedded with various proteins that play critical roles in transport, signaling, and maintaining the cell's shape.
Recommended video:
06:49
Biological Membranes

Membrane Proteins

Membrane proteins are integral or peripheral proteins that perform essential functions in the plasma membrane. They can act as channels or carriers to facilitate the movement of substances across the membrane, as well as serve as receptors for signaling molecules, contributing to cellular communication.
Recommended video:
03:05
Types of Membrane Proteins

Transport Mechanisms

Transport mechanisms refer to the processes by which substances move across the plasma membrane. This includes passive transport, such as diffusion and osmosis, and active transport, which requires energy to move molecules against their concentration gradient, ensuring that essential nutrients enter and waste products exit the cell.
Recommended video:
02:37
Active Transport
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Match the term with its appropriate definition. 

Osmosis    

Secondary active transport    

Exocytosis    

Phagocytosis    

Simple diffusion    

Primary active transport    

Pinocytosis    

Facilitated diffusion

a. Type of endocytosis in which a large particle is ingested

b. Transport across the plasma membrane against the concentration gradient via direct use of energy from ATP

c. Passive movement of solute across the plasma membrane

d. Movement of solvent from a solution of lower solute concentration to a solution of higher solute concentration

e. Passive movement of solute across the plasma membrane via a channel or carrier protein

f. Type of endocytosis in which ECF is brought into the cell in a protein-coated pit

g. Release of large substances from the cell through a vesicle

h. Transport of a substance across the plasma membrane against its concentration gradient using the energy from the 'downhill' movement of another substance

649
views
Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the plasma membrane as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

Integral membrane proteins generally span the width of the plasma membrane, whereas peripheral proteins are found on only one side of the membrane.

778
views
Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the plasma membrane as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

Membrane cholesterol is vital for cell-cell recognition.

601
views
Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the plasma membrane as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

The overall structure of the plasma membrane is a mosaic with the components locked tightly in place.

564
views
Textbook Question

Mark the following statements about the plasma membrane as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

Cholesterol provides the plasma membrane with stability in the face of changing ion concentrations.

645
views
Textbook Question

What is the primary difference between active transport processes and passive transport processes?

650
views