Final answer:
The membrane lipids must be stripped away to study the activity of isolated transmembrane proteins, while preserving protein structure and function.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to study the activity of isolated transmembrane proteins, the membrane lipids must be completely stripped away. These proteins, such as integral proteins that span the hydrophobic interior of the bilayer and peripheral proteins that are associated with the surface of the lipid bilayer, require an intact membrane to function properly. However, for isolation and characterization in laboratory settings, it's crucial to remove the surrounding lipids while aiming to preserve the proteins' structure and function as much as possible.