Final answer:
Membrane compositions of the two samples can be inferred from transition temperatures; higher transition temperatures suggest more saturated fatty acids making the membrane rigid, while lower temperatures indicate a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids that keep the membrane fluid in colder environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing the transition temperatures of two membranes, a transition temperature of 28°C compared to 15°C implies differences in membrane composition. Membranes with higher transition temperatures, such as the first membrane with a transition temperature of 28°C, indicate a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids in their lipid makeup. These types of lipids make the membrane more rigid at higher temperatures.
Conversely, the second membrane with a lower transition temperature of 15°C suggests a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, which introduce kinks into the lipid tails and increase fluidity, preventing the membrane from solidifying at lower temperatures. This adaption is crucial for organisms that live in cold environments; they alter their membrane lipid composition to maintain functionality despite external temperature changes.