Which of the following techniques is best used when studying membrane fluidity?

• A. X-ray crystallography
• B. Detergents
• C. Freeze fracturing
• D. FRAP

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of membrane fluidity: Membrane fluidity refers to the viscosity of the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane, which affects its function and the movement of proteins and lipids within the membrane.
2. Identify the purpose of each technique: X-ray crystallography is used to determine the atomic structure of crystallized molecules, detergents are used to solubilize membrane proteins, and freeze fracturing is a method to study the architecture of cell membranes.
3. Learn about FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching): FRAP is a technique used to measure the movement of molecules within cell membranes. It involves bleaching a fluorescently labeled area of the membrane and observing the recovery of fluorescence as unbleached molecules move into the area.
4. Determine which technique directly measures membrane fluidity: FRAP is specifically designed to study the dynamics and fluidity of membranes by tracking the lateral movement of fluorescent molecules.
5. Conclude that FRAP is the best technique for studying membrane fluidity because it provides direct information about the movement and diffusion of molecules within the membrane.