Question

__________________ is accomplished by desaturating single bonds in fatty acyl chains to form double bonds and reshuffling chains between different phospholipid molecules to make ones that have two unsaturated fatty acids

Answer 1

Desaturation is the process of adding double bonds to saturated fatty acid chains using desaturases, which are enzymes located in the endoplasmic reticulum. It is vital for maintaining membrane fluidity, particularly in cold environments, by altering the structure of fatty acids from straight to kinked.

Step-by-step explanation:

Desaturation is a process that involves the introduction of double bonds into saturated fatty acyl chains, and is accomplished by enzymes known as desaturases. These enzymes are predominantly located in the endoplasmic reticulum and are responsible for catalyzing the formation of cis double bonds in mature fatty acids. Due to metabolic limitations, animals, including humans, can only introduce double bonds up to the 9th and 10th carbon atoms from the carboxyl end. Desaturation is crucial for maintaining membrane fluidity, especially in colder environments where saturated fatty acids with their straight tails can make the membrane rigid and susceptible to rupturing. Unsaturated fatty acids with their kinked structure, due to the double bonds, help to maintain space between phospholipid molecules, thus preserving the fluid nature of the membrane. A critical aspect of this process is also the capability of some organisms to adapt by modifying the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in their membranes in response to temperature changes.