Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Fluid mosaic membranes

Fluid mosaic membranes — practice question

Proteins in the cell surface membranes of human cells and mouse cells were marked with red and green fluorescent dyes, respectively. After a human cell was fused with a mouse cell, the dyes were first found in separate areas, but later they became evenly spread throughout. What explains this observation?

  • AAll protein molecules in the cell surface membrane are fixed to structures within the cell, but phospholipid molecules move freely between them.
  • BGroups of protein and phospholipid molecules in the cell surface membrane are attached to each other and move together.
  • COnly protein molecules in the outer layer of the cell surface membrane can move freely between phospholipid molecules.
  • DProtein molecules in the outer layer of the cell surface membrane and those which span the bilayer can move freely between phospholipid molecules.

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