Sunday, 23 September 2012

Fatty acid chains determine the flexibility of the membrane


Fatty acid chains determine the flexibility of the membrane

Shorter fatty acid chains prefer a liquid.

  • Longer fatty acid chains prefer a solid state.
  • Double bonds make fatty acid chains prefer a liquid state.
  • Bacteria have enzymes that adapt to changing temperatures. If you increase the temperature of the bacteria, the bacteria will use enzymes to increase the length of the phospholipid chains and decrease the number of double bonds.

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