The degree of membrane fluidity depends on:
A) the percentage of lipids that contain choline.
B) the percentage of glycolipids.
C) the percentage of free fatty acids.
D) the percentage of unsaturated fatty acids.
E) None of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The degree of membrane fluidity depends on the percentage of unsaturated fatty acids. The double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids create kinks in the fatty acid tails, which prevent tight packing and increase membrane fluidity. Saturated fatty acids, on the other hand, have straight tails and tend to pack tightly, resulting in decreased membrane fluidity. The percentages of lipids that contain choline, glycolipids, and free fatty acids are not directly related to membrane fluidity.

The Degree of Membrane Fluidity Depends On