Question

Which of the following components of the plasma membrane forms ion channels?

A) phospholipids
B) cholesterol
C) carbohydrates
D) integral membrane proteins
E) peripheral membrane proteins

Answer 1

The integral membrane proteins form ion channels in the plasma membrane.

Step-by-step explanation:

The components of the plasma membrane that form ion channels are the integral membrane proteins.

Integral proteins are embedded in the plasma membrane and may span all or part of the membrane. They serve as channels or pumps to move materials into or out of the cell. Ion channels are a type of integral protein that selectively allow ions, such as sodium or potassium, to pass through the membrane, thus regulating the movement of ions and maintaining the cell's electrical balance.

For example, voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cells allow sodium ions to flow into the cell, generating an action potential and enabling the conduction of electrical signals along the nerve cells.