Factors affecting membrane structure

Question 1

what are the main factors affecting membrane structure?

Answer 1

-temperature
-solvents
-proportion of saturated and unsaturated fats in the membrane
-proportion of cholesterol

Question 2

what does increased temperature affect in the membrane?

Answer 2

-phospholipids
-permeability
-intrinsic proteins
-cell signalling
-cholesterol

Question 3

explain how increased temperature affects phospholipids

Answer 3

phospholipids have more kinetic energy so the molecules move around more

Question 4

explain how increased temperature affects permeability

Answer 4

it makes the membrane more fluid, so the membrane is more fluid

Question 5

explain how increased temperature affects intrinsic proteins

Answer 5

intrinsic protein positions may change or become denatured

Question 6

explain how increased temperature affects cell signalling

Answer 6

increase in membrane fluidity may affect cell signalling which may use exocytosis

Question 7

explain how increased temperature affects cholsterol

Answer 7

presence of cholesterol lowers the effect of increasing heat, as it reduces the increase in membrane fluidity