Factors Affecting Membeane Structure

Question 1

State and explain a factor affecting membrane structure

Answer 1

Temperature - phospholipids in the cell membrane are constantly moving, an increase in temperature increases kinetic energy, losing structure and therefore becoming more permeable allowing molecules to cross easier, carrier and channel proteins in the membrane denature at high temperatures.

Question 2

A second factor affecting membrane structure

Answer 2

Solvents increase the membrane permeability, the phospholipids in the billayer easily dissolve in solutions such as ethanol, this increases fluidity and the membrane breaks down.

Question 3

Why doesn’t water affect membrane fluidity?

Answer 3

Water is a polar solvent the charges phosphate heads keep intact with water, keeping the billayer intact.