Question

Which of the following is a reasonable explanation for why unsaturated fatty acids help keep any membrane more fluid at lower temperatures?
A) The double bonds block interaction among the hydrophilic head groups of the lipids.
B) The double bonds result in shorter fatty acid tails and thinner membranes.
C) Unsaturated fatty acids are more polar than saturated fatty acids.
D) Unsaturated fatty acids have a higher cholesterol content and therefore more cholesterol in membranes.
E) The double bonds form kinks in the fatty acid tails, preventing adjacent lipids from packing tightly.

Answer 1

Answer:

Option (E).

Explanation:

The cell membrane constitute the phospholipid bilayer, proteins and small amounts of carbohydrates. The unsaturated fatty acids contain the double and triple bond in its structure.

The introduction of double bond introduces the kink in its structure and makes the membrane less rigid. This prevents the packaging of the lipid tightly and makes the membrane more permeable. This makes the membrane more fluid even at the lower temperature.

Thus, the correct answer is option (E).