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Membrane Fluidity: Lipids' Dance in the Cell's Dynamic Boundary
Chapter 7, Problem 3(choose chapter or problem)
Which of the following factors would tend to increase membrane fluidity?
a. a greater proportion of unsaturated phospholipids
b. a greater proportion of saturated phospholipids
c. a lower temperature
d. a relatively high protein content in the membrane
e. a greater proportion of relatively large glycolipids compared with lipids having smaller molecular masses
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Which of the following factors would tend to increase membrane fluidity?
a. a greater proportion of unsaturated phospholipids
b. a greater proportion of saturated phospholipids
c. a lower temperature
d. a relatively high protein content in the membrane
e. a greater proportion of relatively large glycolipids compared with lipids having smaller molecular masses
ANSWER:Step 1 of 2
Membrane fluidity refers to the viscosity of the lipid bilayer. The packing of lipid molecules influences it. Membrane fluidity can be affected by several factors, for example, temperature, the proportion of saturated and unsaturated phospholipids, etc. Unsaturated phospholipids have double bonds, which renders them bent, so lipids are packed loosely. Hence, the lipid bilayer with more unsaturated phospholipids has more fluidity. Saturated phospholipids have straight chains, so they are tightly packed in a lipid bilayer. As a result, a membrane having saturated phospholipids has less fluidity.
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Membrane Fluidity: Lipids' Dance in the Cell's Dynamic Boundary
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Discover the dynamic nature of the cell's lipid bilayer. Delve into the roles of unsaturated and saturated phospholipids in membrane fluidity. Understand temperature's influence on this vital cellular component.