Bio Question

[dwd09]

---

Members don't see this ad.

How do some bacterial cells adapt to cold temperatures?

a. By increasing the amount of cholesterol in their membranes
b. By altering the amount of protein present in the membrane
c. By increasing the number of carbon-carbon double bonds in the fatty acid portion of their phospholipids
d. By decreasing the rate of diffusion of the the phospholipids.

I think both A and C are both correct, but the book (Raven's Bio) says that A is incorrect. Can anyone help explain why? Thanks!

 

[BillytheEchidna]

A would be correct if the question were about eukaryotic cell membranes, but bacteria generally do not put sterols in their membranes (this was my hunch, but I verified it on wikipedia).

 

[oreoeater82]

I agree dwd09, increasing the number of C=C would cause the membrane to become more fluid... which is advantageous in colder temperatures. It would seem the answer should be E.) both A and C

I'm stumped???😕

 

[mestmet31]

It is only C because, bacterial membranes do not have cholesterol. They do however have a similar type of sterol. I cannot remember the name of the top of my head but it starts with a D

 

[hl11]

i think in eukaryotic membrane, cholesterol moderates membrane fluidity; in the prokaryotic membrane, hopanoids probably reduce the fluidity of the membrane. I am not so sure.