Question

In Singer-Nicolson fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, extrinsic proteins are

• A. tightly attached to intrinsic proteins but can be separated easily
• B. tightly attached to intrinsic proteins and cannot be separated easily
• C. superficially arranged and can be separated easily
• D. superficially arranged and cannot be separated easily.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

superficially arranged and can be separated easily

In the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, proposed by Singer-Nicolson in 1972, the phospholipid bilayer has integrated as well as peripheral proteins embedded in it. The integrated proteins are found on the inside and span across the bilayer, while the peripheral proteins are found at the periphery of the lipid layers. The extrinsic proteins are superficially arranged and can be separated easily.

So, the correct answer is 'superficially arranged and can be separated easily'.