Biology I / The Cell Nucleus
Practice question · Estimate

A nuclear pore allows free diffusion below about 40 kDa, which is why a larger protein needs a signal and energy to get in. A protein of 70 kDa needs that help. Set the ratio of that protein’s mass to the diffusion limit, to one decimal place.

Estimate on a scale from Well under the limit (0) to Five times the limit (5).

Hints
  1. Divide the protein mass by the size limit for free diffusion.
  2. Compute 70 divided by 40.
Show the answer

1.75 (answers within ±0.2 count)

Why

70/40=1.7570/40 = 1.75 times the limit, so this protein needs a nuclear localisation signal and active transport. The cut-off is soft rather than sharp, but the principle is strict: large cargo requires a signal and energy.

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