Question

In preparation for hibernation, ground squirrels tend to increase the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids incorporated into their membrane lipids. Given that the animals must survive a significant drop in body temperature during hibernation, which of the following statements correctly explains why this particular change in fatty acid composition occurs?

a) The fluidity of the squirrels' cell membranes must be increased, and unsaturated fatty acids assist in this because they have fewer van der Waal's interactions between them than saturated fatty acids.b) The fluidity of the squirrels' cell membranes must be decreased, and unsaturated fatty acids assist in this because they have more van der Waal's interactions between them than saturated fatty acids.c) The fluidity of the squirrels' cell membranes must be increased, and unsaturated fatty acids assist in this because they have more van der Waal's interactions between them than saturated fatty acids.d)The fluidity of the squirrels' cell membranes must be decreased, and unsaturated fatty acids assist in this because they have fewer van der Waal's interactions between them than saturated fatty acids.

Answer 1

Answer: a) The fluidity of the squirrels' cell membranes must be increased, and unsaturated fatty acids assist in this because they have fewer van der Waal's interactions between them than saturated fatty acids.

Explanation: In preparation for hibernation, ground squirrels tend to increase the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids incorporated into their membrane lipids. Given that the animals must survive a significant drop in body temperature during hibernation. The statement that correctly explains why this change in fatty acid occurs is:

-The fluidity of the squirrels' cell membranes must be increased, and unsaturated fatty acids assist in this because they have fewer van der Waal's interactions between them than saturated fatty acids.