While examining the crystal structure of a membrane protein, you find several ph
ID: 225089 • Letter: W
Question
While examining the crystal structure of a membrane protein, you find several phospholipid molecules bound to the protein. You know that these lipids ... A. are thought to help stabilize many membrane proteins. B. may enhance the crystallization of the bound membrane proteins. C. interact specifically with the protein. D. can have head groups of various sizes and charges depending on the protein. E. All of the above. While examining the crystal structure of a membrane protein, you find several phospholipid molecules bound to the protein. You know that these lipids ... A. are thought to help stabilize many membrane proteins. B. may enhance the crystallization of the bound membrane proteins. C. interact specifically with the protein. D. can have head groups of various sizes and charges depending on the protein. E. All of the above. While examining the crystal structure of a membrane protein, you find several phospholipid molecules bound to the protein. You know that these lipids ... A. are thought to help stabilize many membrane proteins. B. may enhance the crystallization of the bound membrane proteins. C. interact specifically with the protein. D. can have head groups of various sizes and charges depending on the protein. E. All of the above.Explanation / Answer
Choice E is correct.
Reason: The membrane phospholipids are highly specific biomolecules which have discrete structural and biological properties which make them unique among other proteins. These properties include their ability to act as a membrane stabilizer as well as signalling centre for biological reaction. This is possible because most of the transmembranous proteins carry a cytoplasmic domain which is directly associated with bilayer of phospholipids and modulate induction of signalling cascade in the cytoplasm. Further, the ability of phospholipids chemically bond with other bio-molecules to generate complexes such as sphingolipids, cholestrol, phospholipids etc. also makes them a suitable choice for membranous integral part. Most of these properties are imparted by the phospholipids based upon their differential physico-chemical nature, quassi-fluidity due to low melting point, nature of active groups contained and nature of bonds they can form with other biomolecules.
Thus, lipids are highly important constituent of the plasma membrane.
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