Final answer:
It is false that tropical plants like palm and coconut would have membrane lipids with short-chain fatty acids containing multiple C=C double bonds; instead, they typically contain a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids like C8, C10, and C12, which help maintain their structure in warm conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that membrane lipids from tropical plants such as palm and coconut would have short-chain fatty acids with multiple C=C double bonds is false. Coconut oil is known for being highly saturated, containing a high percentage of low-melting saturated fatty acids such as C8, C10, and C12, which do not have double bonds.
These saturated fatty acids contribute to a more solid structure at room temperature, an adaptation that likely assists in maintaining membrane fluidity and functionality in warmer climates.
Saturated fats have no carbon-to-carbon double bonds, while unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, have one or more of these bonds. In comparison, organisms in cooler environments tend to have more unsaturated fatty acids with double bonds that prevent the fats from solidifying.
False. The statement is false because tropical plants such as palm and coconut actually produce lipids with longer chain fatty acids that are highly saturated. Coconut oil, for example, contains a high percentage of saturated fatty acids with chains containing 8, 10, and 12 carbons. These long-chain saturated fatty acids contribute to the high melting point and solid consistency of coconut oil.