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The transmembrane segment of a single-pass integral membrane protein is typically:
A5 to 10 amino acids
B50 to 55 amino acids
C20 to 25 amino acids
D80 to 85 amino acids
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. 20 to 25 amino acids
1. The segment has to be long enough to span the hydrophobic core of the bilayer.
2. Too short and it would not reach; much longer and it would not fit.
3. Single-pass integral membrane proteins usually have a hydrophobic transmembrane segment that consists of 20 to 25 amino acids.
4. Complex proteins can be composed of up to 12 such segments.
_Source: OpenStax Biology for AP(R) Courses (CC BY 4.0), Ch 5 'Structure and Function of Plasma Membranes', sections 5.1-5.4_
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