A researcher is using a modified version of FRAP. She has devised a technique that allows her to label all the peripheral membrane proteins with a fluorescent tag, and has bleached a specific area of the cell membrane. After 24 hours, she notices that fluorescence has returned to the bleached area. What can she deduce from this experiment?A. Peripheral membrane proteins are akin to integral membrane proteins.B. Peripheral membrane proteins may not be permanently associated with the cell membrane.C. Peripheral membrane proteins—like transmembrane proteins—are located within the cell membrane.D. Peripheral membrane proteins can move freely within the cell membrane.E. Peripheral membrane proteins can both move freely within the cell membrane and are akin to integral membrane proteins

FRAP or Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching refers to a method of finding the kinetics of diffusion in living cells, generally with the assistance of fluorescence microscopy. The method comprises the labeling of a particular cell constituent with a fluorescent molecule, imaging that cell, photobleach a small section of the cell, then image the recovery of fluorescence with time.

In the given question, as the fluorescence has recovered back to the bleached region. The scientist can come to the conclusion that the membrane of the cell and the peripheral membrane proteins do not always belong together.