In this video, we're going to talk about some of the different types of functions that membrane proteins can have or what these membrane proteins actually do. Membrane associated proteins can perform a wide variety of functions. They can do so many different types of things, and so we're not going to cover every single function that membrane proteins can have, but some of those functions are included in the following table that you see down below. Notice on the left-hand side over here, we're showing you this little baby rattle, and that's because hopefully, by remembering "rattle," it'll help jog your memory of some of the membrane protein functions that we have in this table. The reason for that is because the first letter of each of these membrane protein functions spells out the word "rattle," as you can see right here. Again, that's why we have this rattle here just to help jog your memories.
The very first membrane protein function that we have listed here is recognition, and this is because membrane proteins can mark a cell for identification. Just like a driver's license can mark you for identification, membrane proteins can mark cells for identification and help cells distinguish one cell from another cell. The next protein function that we have here is anchorage, and some membrane proteins can anchor the cell cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix or the ECM. Cell cytoskeleton and ECM anchoring is a critical function in some scenarios, and over here on the right, we're showing you a little image of an anchor to remind you of that function.
The third function that we have here is transduction, and this is when some membrane proteins serve as receptors for signaling molecules, allowing for bio-signaling to take place. Transduction basically allows a signal on the outside of the cell to affect the metabolism of the cell on the inside. Over here, we're showing you a little receptor just to remind you of that function. The fourth function that we have here is transport, and some membrane proteins can help with molecular transport across the membrane, which is a function that we'll get to talk more about moving forward in our course. Just like vehicles like cars can be used to transport objects, membrane proteins, in some cases, can also be used to transport objects across the membrane.
The fifth function that we have is linkage, and some membrane proteins can connect to cells via a protein linkage. We did talk about some cell junctions in some of our previous lesson videos, and so over here, just like these two pieces of a chain are being linked together, some membrane proteins can link together to neighboring cells. Last but not least, the final function that we have listed here is enzymes. Some membrane proteins can serve as enzymes to speed up chemical reactions, and so many types of enzymatic processes can rely on these membrane proteins to serve as enzymes. Over here, we're showing you a little basic enzymatic reaction, just to remind you of that function.
Once again, by remembering the word "rattle," hopefully, this will help you jog your memory of some of these membrane protein functions that are in this table. This concludes our brief lesson on membrane protein functions, and we'll be able to get some practice applying these concepts as we move forward. So, I'll see you all in our next video.
