Question

In response to seasonal changes in temperature, many organisms must alter the composition of their plasma membranes to maintain the proper degree of fluidity. As summer turns to fall and eventually into winter, which of the following would you predict you would observe in the plasma membranes of organisms that are unable to regulate their body temperature? an increase in phospholipid fatty acid side chain length and an increase in side chain saturation an increase in phospholipid fatty acid side chain length and a decrease in side chain saturation a decrease in phospholipid fatty acid side chain length and an increase in side chain saturation a decrease in phospholipid fatty acid side chain length and a decrease in side chain saturation

Answer 1

Answer is Forth one. Plasma membrane is dynamic and selectively permiable. This nature of Plasma membrane (PM) is maintained by its quasi fluid nature. In summer PM become sufficiently rigid by possessing lengthy andandfatty saturated fatty acids. Where as in winter, the PM become more fluid by possessing short lenth and unsaturated fatty acids. High length and saturated fatty acids increase the rigidity, where as short length and unsaturated fatty acids increase fluidity.