Question

What happens to phospholipid mobility when the cell is treated with agents that disrupt the underlying membrane skeleton?

a) Their mobility is unchanged.
b) Their mobility is increased because the fences that normally restrict their diffusion are removed.
c) Their mobility is decreased because the fences that normally restrict their diffusion are removed.
d) Their mobility is increased because the treatment raises the temperature.
e) Their mobility is decreased because the treatment lowers the temperature.

Answer 1

When the cell is treated with agents that disrupt the underlying membrane skeleton, the mobility of phospholipids is increased because the fences that normally restrict their diffusion are removed.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the cell is treated with agents that disrupt the underlying membrane skeleton, the mobility of phospholipids is increased because the fences that normally restrict their diffusion are removed.

Phospholipids and proteins in the cell membrane are arranged in a fluid mosaic model, where they can move laterally within the membrane. The underlying membrane skeleton provides a structural framework that restricts their movement. However, when agents disrupt this skeleton, the phospholipids can move more freely.

An example of an agent that disrupts the membrane skeleton is the enzyme phospholipase, which cleaves the phospholipids and loosens the structure of the membrane.