A membrane protein diffuses freely within the plane of the plasma membrane

PHYSICS · Subjective · Fermi University Physics · Biophysics & Medical Physics · Physical foundations of the living cell · Physical foundations of the living cell

Life at Thermal Energy, Ch Random walks, diffusion and the crowded cell

Problem

A membrane protein diffuses freely within the plane of the plasma membrane, a two-dimensional surface, with diffusion coefficient D=1.0×10−12 m2 s−1D = 1.0\times10^{-12}\,\mathrm{m^2\,s^{-1}} (a typical value for a protein in a lipid bilayer). Assume the protein's motion is a random walk confined to the membrane plane. Calculate the time for the protein to diffuse a distance of 2.0 μm2.0\,\mathrm{\mu m} across the membrane.

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