Question

Under which conditions would a cell membrane be most likely to be in a liquid, crystalline state in which an individual phospholipid can rotate around its axis or move laterally through the plane of the bilayer?

A. cooler temperatures around 4 degrees centigrade

B. warmer temperatures around 37 degrees centigrade

C. temperatures around 12 degrees centigrade

D. high pH

Answer 1

A cell membrane would be in a liquid, crystalline state, allowing phospholipids to move freely at warmer temperatures, typically around 37 degrees centigrade.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell membrane will be most likely to be in a liquid, crystalline state under warm temperature conditions, such as at around 37 degrees centigrade. At higher temperatures, phospholipid and protein components of cell membranes have more kinetic energy, which increases the fluidity as the components are able to move more freely. This enhanced fluidity allows individual phospholipids to rotate around their axis or move laterally through the plane of the bilayer.