Question

Explain the differences between integral and peripheral membrane proteins.

Short answer

Integral proteins are permanently attached to the membrane, while peripheral membrane proteins are only temporarily attached.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

Membrane proteins are typical proteins that are found in biological membranes or membranes interact with them. They are divided into numerous types based on their location.

Integral proteins

Integral membrane proteins are permanentlybound to the plasma membrane.

Integral membrane proteins are embeddedinside it.

Integral membrane proteins cannotbe easily removed from the plasma membrane.

Integral membrane proteins havebothhydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.

Integral membrane proteins act asenzymes, carrier proteins, and channel proteins.

Integral membrane proteins are also known as intrinsic membrane proteins.

Examples of membrane proteins are integral glycophorin, rhodopsin, and NADH dehydrogenase.

Peripheral proteins

Peripheral membrane proteins are only temporarily attached.

Peripheral membrane proteins are attached to either sides of the membrane.

Peripheral membrane proteins can be easily removedfrom the plasma membrane.

Peripheral membrane proteins have only hydrophilic part.

Peripheral membrane proteins act as receptors and surface antigens.

Membranes present on the periphery of thecell membraneare known as extrinsic membrane proteins.

Examples of peripheral membrane proteins aremitochondrial cytochrome c and erythrocyte spectrin.