Question

Which transporters provide an open passageway for the transmembrane movement of a solute? Which transporters undergo a conformational change as part of their transport mechanism?

Short answer

Channel proteins provide an open passageway for the transmembrane movement of solutes.

The carrier proteins undergo conformational changes to the bound solute across the membrane.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction.

A transport protein (also called a transmembrane pump, transporter, escort protein, acid transport protein, cation transport protein, or anion transport protein) is a protein that transports other molecules within an organism.

Transmembrane movement of solute.

The transmembrane transport of a solute is facilitated by channel proteins (e.g., Aquaporin), which offer an open route. Channel proteins form pores across the lipid bilayer of the membrane. When these pores open, they allow the movement of solute across the membrane.

Transport proteins that undergo conformational changes.

As a part of its transport mechanism, carrier proteins (e.g., ATP driven carrier proteins) undergo conformational changes. Carrier proteins bind the specific solute to be carried and then go through a series of conformational changes in order to transport it across the membrane.