Final answer:
The ability of a carrier molecule to transport only one specific molecule or a group of closely related molecules is called specificity. Carrier proteins are involved in the transport of ions, molecules, or groups of substances across the cell membrane. Each carrier protein is specific to one substance or a closely related group of substances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability of a carrier molecule to transport only one specific molecule or a group of closely related molecules is called specificity.
Carrier proteins are involved in the transport of ions, molecules, or groups of substances across the cell membrane. They can bind to a particular solute and change shape to transport it across the membrane. Each carrier protein is specific to one substance or a closely related group of substances.
For example, the GLUT1 transporter carrier protein is specific for glucose and does not transport fructose or ribose. Similarly, carrier proteins for amino acids can only transport specific amino acids or a group of closely related amino acids.