What is the Difference Between Integral Proteins and Peripheral Proteins?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between integral and peripheral proteins lies in their association with the cell membrane and their functions. Here are the key differences:
- Integral Proteins:
- Permanently embedded within the cell membrane.
- Can be classified as transmembrane proteins (spanning the entire plasma membrane) or integral monotopic proteins (attached to the membrane from only one side).
- Perform various functions, such as cell adhesion, signaling, and facilitating the transport of substances across the membrane.
- Peripheral Proteins:
- Attached to the surface of the cell membrane, but can attach and detach at different times.
- Can be easily removed, allowing them to be involved in cell signaling.
- Often associated with integral membrane proteins or attached to a small portion of the lipid bilayer by themselves.
- Examples include hormones that attach to the cell and initiate cellular processes.
In summary, integral proteins are permanently embedded within the cell membrane and have a range of important functions, while peripheral proteins are loosely attached to the membrane surface and can be involved in cell signaling and other processes.
Comparative Table: Integral Proteins vs Peripheral Proteins
The main difference between integral proteins and peripheral proteins lies in their association with the cell membrane and their structure. Here is a table comparing the two:
Integral Proteins | Peripheral Proteins |
---|---|
Embedded within the entire phospholipid bilayer | Located on the inner or outer surface of the phospholipid bilayer |
Permanently embedded within the plasma membrane | Temporally associated with the plasma membrane |
Have hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas | Do not have hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas |
Serve various functions, such as structural components, lubricants, hormones, enzymes, transport molecules, receptors, antifreeze proteins, regulation of development, homeostasis, etc. | Functions are not as diverse as integral proteins |
In summary, integral proteins are embedded within the lipid bilayer and serve a wide range of functions, while peripheral proteins are found on the surface of the membrane and have a more limited range of functions.
- Integral Peripheral vs Surface Proteins
- Transmembrane vs Peripheral Proteins
- Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Proteins
- Complete vs Incomplete Proteins
- Fibrous vs Globular Proteins
- Peptide vs Protein
- Polypeptide vs Protein
- Whey Protein vs Protein
- Amino Acid vs Protein
- Amino Acid vs Protein
- Protein A vs Protein G
- Enzyme vs Protein
- Derivative vs Integral
- Simple Protein vs Conjugated Protein
- Proteinogenic vs Non-proteinogenic Amino Acids
- Denatured vs Undenatured Protein
- Central vs Peripheral Tolerance
- Gene vs Protein
- Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins