Question

1) FRAP...what can we detect from this and why is it important?

2) What is the importance of transmembrane proteins?

Answer 1

Please find the answers below:

Answer 1: FRAP or fluorescence recovery after photobleaching is an optical process in which a substrate/sample is illuminated with a beam of light to induce fluoresences for a moment thus making it bleach under the light. As the sample recovers after bleaching, the emitted rays are recorded and their intensity and pattern of regaining the fluorescence demonstrates their integrity and stability.

This type of experimental set up is very useful to demonstrating and understanding the fluid nature of the trans-membrane structure which tends to have a dynamic structure.

Answer 2: The transmembrane proteins are those proteins which span the whole lipid bilayer in a plasma membrane. These proteins have following functions:

1. Maintain movement of molecules across the cell
2. Serve as specific receptors for some ligands
3. Play important role in intracellular molecular signalling owing to their cytoplasmic domain.
4. These proteins impart structural stability to the dynamic plasma membrane since they are always embedded in it.