Question

consider the following aquaporin molecule (shown below). this molecule sits in the membrane and allows water molecules to pass through. if we were to consider the outside of the channel (i.e. the part that must interact with the phospholipids), what types of amino acids would you most expect to find interacting with the transmembrane region? now consider the interior of the channel (i.e. the part that must allow the water molecules to pass), what types of amino acids would you most expect to find in this interior region? select select polar non - polar positively - charges (i.e. basic) negatively - charged (i.e. acidic)

Explanation:

Water is a polar molecule. The outside of the channel that interacts with the phospholipids (which have non - polar fatty acid tails) should have non - polar amino acids to be compatible with the non - polar environment of the lipid bilayer. The interior of the channel that allows water to pass should have polar amino acids to interact favorably with the polar water molecules.

Answer:

Outside of the channel: Non - polar
Interior of the channel: Polar