The Question is from neet-botany cell-biology cell-membrane, and it was created by the author Mr. NARESH KUMAR K

Question

Certain integral membrane proteins facilitate the passage of water across the cell membrane.  These proteins are known as aquaporins and are crucial for maintaining cellular water balance.  Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of aquaporin-mediated water transport?

Mr. NARESH KUMAR K · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: B
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
	**Primary Concept**: Aquaporin Function and Water Transport
	**Related Topics**: Membrane Transport, Osmosis, Protein Channels, Facilitated Diffusion
	**Prerequisites**: Cell Membrane Structure, Transport Mechanisms
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**:
	Aquaporins facilitate water movement across cell membranes.
	The question asks for a characteristic that is NOT true for aquaporin-mediated water transport.
**Method & Steps**:
	1. Analyze each option based on the properties of aquaporins and water transport.
	Reasoning: Aquaporins are channels that allow water to pass through the cell membrane.
	2. Eliminate options that correctly describe aquaporin function.
	Working: Aquaporins facilitate passive transport driven by osmotic gradients and are highly selective for water.
	Key Point:  'Saturable transport kinetics' is a characteristic of carrier proteins, not channel proteins like aquaporins.
	3. Identify the option that misrepresents aquaporin function.
	Result: Saturable transport kinetics is not a characteristic of aquaporin-mediated water transport.
	Verification: Aquaporins are channels, not carriers. Channels do not exhibit saturable kinetics because they don't bind to the transported molecule.
## OPTION ANALYSIS
[A] ✓: Passive transport of water: Aquaporins facilitate the movement of water down its concentration gradient, which is a form of passive transport requiring no energy input.
[B] :x: Saturable transport kinetics: This is characteristic of carrier-mediated transport, where a limited number of binding sites can become saturated at high substrate concentrations.  Aquaporins are channels, not carriers, and therefore do not exhibit saturable kinetics.  Water flows through them at a rate proportional to the osmotic gradient.
[C] ✓: Driven by osmotic gradients: Water moves through aquaporins from areas of high water concentration (low solute concentration) to areas of low water concentration (high solute concentration), following the osmotic gradient.
[D] ✓: High selectivity for water:  Aquaporins are specifically designed to allow water molecules to pass through while excluding other molecules and ions, ensuring the efficient and selective transport of water.
## LEARNING AIDS
	**Common Mistakes**:
		1. Confusing channel proteins with carrier proteins:  Remember that channels form pores, while carriers bind to and transport molecules. This difference leads to distinct kinetic properties.
		2. Misunderstanding osmosis:  Ensure a clear understanding of how water moves in relation to solute concentration gradients.
	**Quick Tips**:
		1. Aquaporins = water channels = passive transport, driven by osmotic gradients, no saturation.
		2. Carrier proteins = binding and transport = saturable kinetics.

Mr. NARESH KUMAR K · Answer

Passive transport of water

Mr. NARESH KUMAR K · Answer

The correct Option is "Saturable transport kinetics"

Mr. NARESH KUMAR K · Answer

Driven by osmotic gradients

Mr. NARESH KUMAR K · Answer

High selectivity for water

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