Question

What are ‘aquaporins’? How does the presence of aquaporins affect osmosis?

Answer 1

Aquaporin

Aquaporin is a transmembrane channel protein that helps in regulating the flow of water, through the process of facilitated diffusion.


Aquaporins affect osmosis

As water is a polar molecule, it diffuses slowly through the hydrophobic lipid bilayer. Most of the water molecules go through aquaporins. The rate of osmosis is therefore increased due to the presence of aquaporins. Ions and other molecules like sucrose are not allowed to pass through the aquaporins.