How do phospholipids contribute flexibility to cell membrane structure? a. The p

Question

How do phospholipids contribute flexibility to cell membrane structure?

a. The phospholipids containing unsaturated fatty acids cannot be tightly packed which provides membrane flexibility.

b. The phospholipids containing saturated fatty acids cannot be tightly packed which provides membrane rigdidity.

c. The two fatty acid chains are flexible as they are unsaturated and provide the flexibility.

d. The two fatty acid chains are saturated. Embedded cholesterol and proteins provide the flexibility.

Explanation / Answer

a. The phospholipids containing unsaturated fatty acids cannot be tightly packed which provides membrane flexibility.

The unsaturated fatty acyl chains in phospholipids have kinks, thus tend to adopt a more random, fluid state and form less van der waals interactions with other lipids. As a result there is a loose packing. This results in flexibility of the cell membrane.

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