You make a phospholipid bilayer with short,saturated hydrocarbon tails.You measure the permeability of this membrane to oxygen.You then double the length of the hydrocarbon tails,and remeasure membrane permeability.You then double the length of the hydrocarbon tails again,and make a third measurement of membrane permeability.You graph membrane permeability as a function of hydrocarbon tail length.Which of the graphs below best represents the data you expect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As the hydrocarbon tail length increases, the permeability of the membrane to oxygen decreases. This is because longer hydrocarbon tails pack more tightly and result in a less fluid membrane, making it harder for oxygen to pass through. Choice B shows a decrease in permeability as tail length doubles, which is the expected trend. Choices A, C, and D do not show a clear trend or have a trend that goes against what is expected.

You Make a Phospholipid Bilayer with Short,saturated Hydrocarbon Tails