In human erythrocyte plasma membranes, what are the approximate percentage proportions of protein and lipid components?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. protein and lipid
- Step 1: Biochemical analysis of the human red blood cell (erythrocyte) membrane demonstrates a high protein-to-lipid ratio.
- Step 2: The membrane contains approximately protein, lipid (predominantly phospholipids and cholesterol), and roughly carbohydrates.
- Step 3: This dense protein composition accommodates abundant transport proteins (e.g., band 3 anion exchanger, GLUT1) and cytoskeletal anchors (spectrin, ankyrin).
Answer
protein and lipid.
Why not the others: protein and lipid inverts the true ratio of proteins and lipids; protein and lipid corresponds to the inner mitochondrial membrane; protein and lipid approximates the myelin sheath of nerve axons.
Practise more Cell Structure and Function.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed NEET UG mock tests.
More Cell Structure and Function questions
- Which of the following cellular organelles is enclosed by a single unit membrane and is rich in hydrolytic acid hydrolases?
- According to the fluid mosaic model proposed by Singer and Nicolson (1972), what is the primary state and arrangement of the lipid bilayer?
- Which component of the bacterial cell envelope determines cell shape and prevents the bacterium from bursting or collapsing in a hypotonic m…
- What is the structural organization of microtubules in the eukaryotic cilia and flagella axoneme?
- Which of the following organelles is directly involved in the synthesis of lipids, phospholipids, and steroid hormones in animal cells?
- In eukaryotic plant cells, what is the composition of the middle lamella that cements adjacent cell walls together?