The FRAP technique allows researchers to quantify mobility of select membrane co

Question

The FRAP technique allows researchers to quantify mobility of select membrane components. Use the following figure, which shows representative FRAP data, to answer the following questions: 1) What can you conclude about the rate of diffusion of molecule A vs. molecule B? Explain how the data leads to this conclusion. 2) What can you conclude about the level of lipid saturation in the two cells (A vs. B)? Explain 3) Assume that the two cells have the same degree of saturation, what could explain the difference in the rates of diffusion?

Explanation / Answer

1. The rate of diffusion of molecule A is less when compared to B. This is clearly indicated in the graph at point C.

2. The degree of lipid saturation in molecule A is less when compared to B. The rate of lipid saturation is achieved by concentration of solute molecules.

3. The data states that both the cells are equally saturated; still there is a difference between rates of diffusion. This is because of lipid molecules involved in cell membrane formation. Thus, lipid saturation is less.

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