Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following fatty acid compositions would produce the most fluid lipid bilayer?
A
High concentration of cholesterol
B
High concentration of trans fatty acids
C
High concentration of saturated fatty acids
D
High concentration of unsaturated fatty acids
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of fatty acids: Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains that can be either saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (one or more double bonds).
Recognize the role of double bonds: Unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds, which introduce kinks in the hydrocarbon chain, preventing the molecules from packing closely together.
Consider the effect on membrane fluidity: The kinks caused by double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids increase the distance between adjacent fatty acid chains, enhancing the fluidity of the lipid bilayer.
Compare with other options: Saturated fatty acids, with no double bonds, pack tightly and decrease membrane fluidity. Trans fatty acids, although unsaturated, have a linear configuration similar to saturated fats, also reducing fluidity. Cholesterol can either increase or decrease fluidity depending on temperature and concentration.
Conclude the analysis: A high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, due to their kinked structure, would disrupt tight packing and result in the most fluid lipid bilayer compared to the other options.