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Aquaporins are important for regulating water transport in cells because they act as channels that allow water molecules to pass through cell membranes quickly and efficiently. This helps maintain the balance of water inside and outside of cells, ensuring proper hydration and functioning of the cell.

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What substance is transported by aquaporins?

Water is the primary substance transported by aquaporins, which are specialized membrane proteins responsible for facilitating the passage of water molecules across cell membranes. Aquaporins play a crucial role in maintaining water balance in cells and tissues.


What is the role of aquaporins in a cell membrane?

Aquaporins are protein molecules embedded in the phospholipid bilayer of some cells. They transport water across the cell membrane. A certain amount of water can cross the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane, but aquaporins considerably increase the rate of passage of water. One type of cell in which aquaporins are found is in the epithelium of the human kidney, in the distal and collecting tubules. The antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulates epithelial cells to incorporate aquaporins into their membranes, increasing the uptake of water from the tubule into the cells, and therefore increasing the reabsorption of water into the body. Aquaporins are also important in plant cells, facilitating the symplastic movement of water through the plant, i.e. the movement of water from cell to cell via cytoplasm.


How do aquaporins facilitate the movement of water across cell membranes?

Aquaporins are specialized proteins that act as channels in cell membranes, allowing water molecules to pass through. These proteins create a pathway for water to move across the membrane, enabling efficient and rapid transport of water into and out of cells.


How did Agre use simple osmosis experiment to prove the function of aquaporin?

Agre tested his hypothesis in a simple experiment where he compared cells which contained the protein in question with cells which did not have it. When the cells were placed in a water solution, those that had the protein in their membranes absorbed water by osmosis and swelled up while those that lacked the protein were not affected at all. Agre also ran trials with artificial cells, termed liposomes, which are a type of soap bubble surrounded on the outside and the inside by water. He found that the liposomes became permeable to water if the protein was planted in their membranes.


Why are aquaporins necessary for the efficient transport of water across cell membranes?

Aquaporins are necessary for the efficient transport of water across cell membranes because they act as channels that specifically allow water molecules to pass through, while blocking other substances. This selective permeability helps regulate the flow of water in and out of cells, maintaining proper hydration levels and supporting various cellular functions.

Related Questions

What substance is transported by aquaporins?

Water is the primary substance transported by aquaporins, which are specialized membrane proteins responsible for facilitating the passage of water molecules across cell membranes. Aquaporins play a crucial role in maintaining water balance in cells and tissues.


What is aquaporins?

Aquaporins are protein molecules embedded in the phospholipid bilayer (cell membrane ) of some cells. They transport water across the cell membrane.


What is the role of aquaporins in a cell membrane?

Aquaporins are protein molecules embedded in the phospholipid bilayer of some cells. They transport water across the cell membrane. A certain amount of water can cross the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane, but aquaporins considerably increase the rate of passage of water. One type of cell in which aquaporins are found is in the epithelium of the human kidney, in the distal and collecting tubules. The antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulates epithelial cells to incorporate aquaporins into their membranes, increasing the uptake of water from the tubule into the cells, and therefore increasing the reabsorption of water into the body. Aquaporins are also important in plant cells, facilitating the symplastic movement of water through the plant, i.e. the movement of water from cell to cell via cytoplasm.


Water may move through membrane pores constructed by transmembrane proteins called?

Water may move through membrane pores constructed by transmembrane proteins called aquaporins. These proteins facilitate the transport of water molecules across cell membranes, allowing water to move in and out of cells rapidly and efficiently.


How do aquaporins facilitate the movement of water across cell membranes?

Aquaporins are specialized proteins that act as channels in cell membranes, allowing water molecules to pass through. These proteins create a pathway for water to move across the membrane, enabling efficient and rapid transport of water into and out of cells.


Why does water have to pass through a transport protein?

The lipid bilayer in the cell cell membranes is essentially impermeable (or have a low permeability) to water and is necessary for cells to maintain their homeostasis. The water transport proteins and other transmembrane proteins are necessary for water to cross the cell membrane.


How did Agre use simple osmosis experiment to prove the function of aquaporin?

Agre tested his hypothesis in a simple experiment where he compared cells which contained the protein in question with cells which did not have it. When the cells were placed in a water solution, those that had the protein in their membranes absorbed water by osmosis and swelled up while those that lacked the protein were not affected at all. Agre also ran trials with artificial cells, termed liposomes, which are a type of soap bubble surrounded on the outside and the inside by water. He found that the liposomes became permeable to water if the protein was planted in their membranes.


Why are aquaporins necessary for the efficient transport of water across cell membranes?

Aquaporins are necessary for the efficient transport of water across cell membranes because they act as channels that specifically allow water molecules to pass through, while blocking other substances. This selective permeability helps regulate the flow of water in and out of cells, maintaining proper hydration levels and supporting various cellular functions.


What regulates the flow of water through a cell membranes?

The movement of water in and out of cells is regulated by aquaporins, which are specialized water channel proteins embedded in the cell membrane. Aquaporins facilitate the rapid movement of water molecules across the membrane, allowing cells to maintain proper water balance and osmotic regulation.


What types of things do proteins do in cells?

Proteins perform a multitude of tasks in cells including acting as structural support, catalysis of chemical reactions (enzymes), molecule and ion transport, cell signaling, regulation of the cell cycle and several other important functions.


Aquaporins are believed to be present in red blood cells and kidney tubules but very few other cells in the body?

False


What are the membranes of what have tiny pores that allow the passage of water molecules?

Cell membranes have tiny pores that allow the passage of water molecules. These pores are formed by specialized proteins called aquaporins, which facilitate the movement of water across the membrane. Aquaporins help maintain water balance within cells and regulate water transport in and out of the cell.