Multiple Choice
The sodium-potassium pump is called an electrogenic pump because it:
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8. Membrane Structure
Membrane Proteins
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Which of the following secondary structures is most commonly found in membrane proteins?
A
Coiled coil
B
Beta sheet
C
Alpha helix
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the context: Membrane proteins often span the lipid bilayer, requiring structures that can interact with the hydrophobic core of the membrane.
Recall the properties of secondary structures: Alpha helices and beta sheets are common secondary structures in proteins, each with distinct characteristics.
Consider the alpha helix: It is a right-handed coil where the backbone is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl oxygen of one amino acid and the amide hydrogen of another, four residues away.
Evaluate the environment: In the hydrophobic environment of the membrane, the alpha helix is particularly stable because its side chains can interact with the lipid tails, and the hydrogen bonds are shielded from the aqueous environment.
Conclude based on structure-function relationship: The alpha helix is the most common secondary structure in membrane proteins due to its ability to span the membrane and interact favorably with the hydrophobic core.
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