A researcher is studying facilitated diffusion of a novel solute 'X' across a cell membrane using an artificial lipid bilayer system. They observe that increasing the concentration of X on one side of the membrane increases the rate of transport, but only up to a certain point. Beyond this point, further increases in X concentration do not affect the transport rate. Which of the following BEST explains this observation?
The membrane has reached its maximum permeability for X.
The solute X is being actively transported at higher concentrations.
Saturation of the carrier proteins
The solute X is inhibiting its own transport through feedback regulation.
Related Questions
A mutation in an aquaporin gene results in a non-functional protein. Which of the following cellular processes would be MOST directly affected?
Glucose uptake by muscle cells
Sodium transport across nerve cell membranes
Water reabsorption in the kidneys
Calcium storage in the sarcoplasmic reticulum
The transport of glucose into most animal cells occurs via:
Simple diffusion
Facilitated diffusion using channel proteins
Facilitated diffusion using carrier proteins
Active transport
Certain integral membrane proteins facilitate the diffusion of molecules across the membrane without directly binding to the transported molecule. These proteins create a continuous aqueous pathway through the lipid bilayer. Which of the following is the BEST example of such facilitated diffusion?
GLUT transporters moving glucose
Sodium-potassium pump maintaining ion gradients
Aquaporins transporting water
Chloride channels gated by voltage
