[Campbell Biology P.185] Given the information about glucose uptake and the experimental set... | Practice Question

Given the information about glucose uptake and the experimental setup, which of the following is the most plausible hypothesis to explain why 15-day-old guinea pig red blood cells show a higher rate of glucose uptake compared to 1-month-old cells?

  • A: Older guinea pigs have more efficient digestive systems, leading to lower blood glucose levels and thus less uptake by red blood cells.
  • B: 15-day-old guinea pig red blood cells likely possess a greater number or higher activity of glucose transport proteins.
  • C: The 1-month-old guinea pigs are nearing their natural lifespan, causing their cells to become less active in general.
  • D: The red blood cells of 15-day-old guinea pigs have a larger surface area to volume ratio, enabling more rapid glucose absorption.

Explanation

The most plausible biological explanation for a difference in the rate of facilitated diffusion is a difference in the abundance or activity of the specific transport proteins involved. Younger, more metabolically active cells might express more transporters or have more efficient transporters.