Question

Some bacterial cells live in very cold environments (such as the arctic ocean), but they still require membrane fluidity like their cousins from more tropical climates. How would the membrane structure of a bacterial cell from a cold climate be different from the membrane structure of a bacterial cell from a very warm climate?

Answer 1

Answer;

-Arctic microbes would have membranes with more unsaturated fatty acids;

Explanation;

-Increasing the unsaturated fatty acid ratio would make it harder for the fatty acids to pack together. This will keep the membrane fluid at lower temperatures, which will benefit organisms that live in very cold climates.

-At low temperatures, cholesterol increases membrane fluidity by preventing membrane lipids from packing close together. At high temperatures, cholesterol decreases membrane fluidity.