2. Goldfish were acclimated to 5°C and 25°C for 21 days, after which brain membr

Question

2. Goldfish were acclimated to 5°C and 25°C for 21 days, after which brain membrane lipids were purified and identified. Membrane lipids were divided into three major classes, depending upon the "head group" and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids was determined for each class. The data are in the table below [from Cossins and Prosser, 1977, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 75: 2040-2043]. Saturated:Unsaturated FA Ratio Phospholipid Class (Head group) 5 C acclimated Phosphocholine ats 25'C acclimated 0.82 0.66 Phosphoethanolamine0.34 Serine/Inositol 0.51 0.63 0.46 Based upon these data, what can you conclude about the influence of acclimation temperature on degree of lipid saturation and implications for membrane fluidity?

Explanation / Answer

Solution:

As, the acclimation temperature is changed from 25 deg cels. to 5 deg cels. the degree of lipid saturation increases and the mebrane fluidity subsequently deceases. This is because shorter (unsaturated) lipid chains requires lower amount of energy to achieve the same membrane fluidity as oppsosed to its saturated counterpart.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 2
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.