question about kinks in the bilayer

[NavyDDS1990]

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I know with this kink in the bilayer decreases melting point because they dont perfect fit.
But what about the boiling point?
Would the kink decreases the boiling point as well?

 

[cdp1210]

Theoretically it should decrease the boiling point as the London dispersion forces would be disrupted. Though that's not a realistic phase transition a lipid bilayer would ever be exposed it as the organism would be long dead when exposed to that high of temperatures. The melting/freezing point however is a realistic phase transition for a lipid bilayer. Hence why incorporating unsaturated FA's and cholesterol is integral to maintain membrane fluidity.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

I know with this kink in the bilayer decreases melting point because they dont perfect fit.
But what about the boiling point?
Would the kink decreases the boiling point as well?

Yes.....a double bond incorporated into a bilayer would indeed decrease BOTH melting and boiling points. We normally don't consider the boiling point because we are dealing with molecules that are not going into the vapor phase.

The key to remember is that the double bond decreases the intermolecular attractions......hence this is reflected in physical properties such as fluidity, and lower melting and boiling points

Hope this helps

Dr. Jim Romano

 

[NavyDDS1990]

So less the intermolecular forces due to kinks would decrease the boiling point and increase its fluidity of the bilayer right?