Plasma membrane and integral/peripheral proteins?

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chloe

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Are channel proteins a type of integral protein? And what is the function of peripheral proteins, compared to an integral protein?
Also, please explain to me as simply as you can...it is really annoying to get answers that just give me more terms I don't understand..thanks!!! :]
 
Yes- channel proteins are integral proteins. They go completely through the plasma membrane and allow passage of certain particles into and out of the cell. Peripheral proteins just span on the outside of the cell and do not go all the way to the interior of the cell. Peripheral proteins can help identify "self" from "non-self" (like antigens). Some are cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) that help cells touch and bind. They also function as receptors - they are specialized to bind to specific kinds of incoming molecules - like horomones - that trigger responses inside the cell.
 
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