Final answer:
In response to warmer temperatures, a cell might increase the saturated fatty acid content in its membrane to maintain appropriate membrane fluidity and function, counteracting the increased fluidity that heat induces.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cellular Responses to Temperature Changes
Cells respond to warmer temperatures by adjusting the fluidity of the membrane. At higher temperatures, membranes become more fluid, which can impair cellular functions. To counter this effect, cells may alter the composition of fatty acids within their membranes, increasing the proportion of saturated fatty acids. Saturated fats are less likely to disrupt the membrane structure at high temperatures because they possess longer hydrocarbon chains which increase membrane solidity. In contrast, at lower temperatures, cell membranes can crystallize and become too rigid, potentially damaging the cell. To prevent this, cold-adapted organisms, like psychrophiles, incorporate more unsaturated fatty acids into their membranes, which remain fluid at colder temperatures. Animals, like humans, utilize cholesterol to stabilize membrane fluidity in response to temperature changes, maintaining cellular homeostasis.