There are certain regions of the body that contain extremely tight barriers arou

Question

There are certain regions of the body that contain extremely tight barriers around their cells to tightly regulate what enters and exits (the blood brain barrier, the blood testes barrier). But, within these barriers, nutrients, such as glucose still need to pass through to allow cells to perform their basic metabolic functions. Which of the following statements is accurate with respect to membrane transport channels in these areas?

a) the blood brain barrier cannot contain any protein channels

b) there are fewer protein channels present in the blood brain barrier

c) there are more protein channels present in the blood brain barrier

Explanation / Answer

Dear student.

The correct answer is a) the blood brain barrier cannot contain any protein channels.

Tight junction will prevent the movement of all polar molecules. Transport across blood brain barrier is very selective and is mediated by passive diffusion, carrier-mediated transport systems for smaller molecules, water channels(aquaporin-4) and transmembrane proteins.

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