Question

The fluidity of a biological membrane:

O is usually higher in plant cell membranes than animal cell membranes.
O is enhanced by the presence of cholesterol.
O increases with increasing temperature.
O is decreased when the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids is increased.
O describes the movement of water within the membrane double layer.

Answer 1

Fluidity of a biological membrane increases with temperature

Step-by-step explanation:

• Fluidity of a biological membrane represents the physical state of individual lipid molecule in membrane
• Membrane fluidity increases as temperature increases while membrane fluidity decreases as temperature decreases
• Membrane fluidity ∝ Temperature
• Cholestrol is dependent on temperature,at high temperatures, cholesterol interferes with the movement of the phospholipid fatty acid chains resulting in outer part of the membrane less fluid and hence decreasing its permeability
• As degree of unsaturation increases in fatty acyl chains membrane fluidity increases and vice versa
• Membrane fluidity ∝ Degree of unsaturation