Cell Membrane Composition — Erythrocyte Approximately 52% Protein, 40% Lipid
📚 Practice ConceptLater, biochemical investigation clearly revealed that the cell membranes also possess protein and carbohydrate. The ratio of protein and lipid varies considerably in different cell types. In human beings, the membrane of the erythrocyte has approximately 52 per cent protein and 40 per cent lipids.
The membrane of human erythrocytes has EXACTLY 52 per cent protein and 40 per cent lipids — a fixed universal ratio.
Erythrocyte membrane has APPROXIMATELY 52% protein and 40% lipids (NCERT exact wording). The ratio VARIES considerably between cell types.
RBC membrane ≈ 52% protein + 40% lipid (approximately, NOT exactly). Composition varies between cells and organisms.
- Cell membrane is composed of LIPIDS + PROTEINS + CARBOHYDRATES.
- The protein:lipid ratio varies considerably across cell types and organisms.
- Human erythrocyte membrane = APPROXIMATELY 52% protein + 40% lipids (NCERT exact wording).
- Membrane proteins: INTEGRAL (buried, hard to extract) and PERIPHERAL (surface, easy to extract).
Assertion (A): The membrane of human erythrocytes has exactly 52 per cent protein and 40 per cent lipids. Reason (R): Cell membrane composition varies between different cell types and organisms.
View bonus solution & explanation
Correct answer: D — A is false but R is true.
Assertion FALSE: NCERT says erythrocyte membrane has APPROXIMATELY 52% protein and 40% lipids — NOT exactly. The Assertion removes 'approximately' which changes the meaning entirely. These are biological estimates, not fixed universal constants. Reason TRUE: NCERT explicitly states the protein:lipid ratio varies considerably between cell types and organisms. So A false, R true → option D. Trap: students miss the qualifier 'approximately' and treat 52/40 as exact universal values.
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