Final answer:
To confirm if a newly found membrane protein is a channel protein responsible for transporting particles across the membrane, a biochemical assay should be conducted to measure the interaction between the protein and the specific particle, helping to identify the protein's transport capabilities and specificity.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine whether the newly found membrane protein is a channel protein involved in membrane transport of a particular particle, several investigations could be considered. However, the most direct approach would be performing a biochemical assay to measure the interaction between the membrane protein and the specific particle. This assay can reveal binding affinity and kinetics, which are crucial for understanding if the protein actually facilitates the transport of that particle through the membrane.
Channel proteins offer a hydrophilic pathway across the cell membrane, allowing specific molecules to pass through. They are characterized by their substrate specificity and can facilitate the movement of substances, such as ions, without altering their shape unlike carrier proteins, which undergo a conformational change when transporting substances across the membrane.
Therefore, biochemical assays that elucidate the protein's ability to interact with and transport the particle in question are essential for confirming its function as a channel protein and its role in membrane transport mechanisms.