Final answer:
The statement is false; transporters do not allow the passage of folded proteins across the membrane. Carrier proteins move specific molecules by changing shape, whereas channel proteins allow polar compounds to pass quickly through a hydrated opening, both facilitating passive transport.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement suggesting that transporters are similar to channels, except that they are larger and allow folded proteins as well as smaller organic molecules to pass through them is false. Transporters, including carrier proteins, do not typically allow folded proteins to pass through the membrane.
Instead, carrier proteins are involved in the process of moving molecules that are too large for channels, such as amino acids and glucose, by binding to the substance and changing their own shape to move the molecule across the membrane. Channels, on the other hand, provide a hydrated opening that allows specific polar compounds to pass through more quickly; however, they do not allow the passage of proteins.
Channel and carrier proteins have different roles and work at different speeds. The channel proteins facilitate diffusion at a much faster rate — tens of millions of molecules per second, in contrast to carrier proteins which work at a rate of a thousand to a million molecules per second. Moreover, carrier proteins are selective, often only allowing one particular type of molecule to cross.
It's also important to note that both channel and carrier proteins facilitate passive transport, which does not require energy. However, some carrier proteins can also be involved in active transport, which does require energy.