TRANSMEMBRANE PROTEIN Meaning and
Definition
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A transmembrane protein is a type of protein that spans across the cell membrane, extending from the interior to the exterior of the cell. It is composed of a sequence of amino acids that enables it to anchor to the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. This unique structure allows transmembrane proteins to play a vital role in various cellular processes.
Transmembrane proteins have several regions or domains that serve different functions. The first is the transmembrane domain, which consists of hydrophobic amino acids that facilitate the embedding of the protein within the cell membrane. The second is the intracellular domain, located inside the cell, which interacts with other cellular components and initiates intracellular signaling pathways. The third is the extracellular domain, positioned outside the cell, which is involved in interactions with molecules or other cells in the environment.
These proteins exhibit a wide range of functions. They can act as receptors, channels, transporters, enzymes, or structural proteins, depending on their specific structure and location. For example, some transmembrane proteins function as receptors, detecting extracellular signals and triggering cellular responses. Others form channels that allow the transport of ions or molecules in and out of the cell. Additionally, transmembrane proteins also play a crucial role in cell adhesion, cell-cell communication, and cell recognition processes.
Overall, transmembrane proteins play essential roles in maintaining the integrity and functionality of the cell membrane and are indispensable for various biological processes.
Common Misspellings for TRANSMEMBRANE PROTEIN
- rransmembrane protein
- fransmembrane protein
- gransmembrane protein
- yransmembrane protein
- 6ransmembrane protein
- 5ransmembrane protein
- teansmembrane protein
- tdansmembrane protein
- tfansmembrane protein
- ttansmembrane protein
- t5ansmembrane protein
- t4ansmembrane protein
- trznsmembrane protein
- trsnsmembrane protein
- trwnsmembrane protein
- trqnsmembrane protein
- trabsmembrane protein
- tramsmembrane protein
- trajsmembrane protein
- trahsmembrane protein
Etymology of TRANSMEMBRANE PROTEIN
The word "transmembrane" is formed by the combination of two roots: "trans-", derived from the Latin prefix "trans" meaning "across" or "beyond", and "membrane", derived from the Latin word "membrāna" meaning "skin" or "covering". "Protein" originates from the Greek word "prōteios" meaning "primary" or "first place".
The term "transmembrane protein" is used to describe proteins that span or traverse through a biological membrane, with parts of the protein residing on both sides of the membrane. The etymology of the term highlights its function and structural nature, specifically emphasizing the fact that these proteins cross the membrane barrier.
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