Fluidity of the membrane

• What does cholesterol do in cold temperatures?

  It prevents fatty acid tails from packing too closely together in cold temperatures, which maintains membrane fluidity.
• What does cholesterol do in hot temperatures?

  It prevents movement of fatty acid chains in high temperatures, which prevents excessive fluidity.
• What do unsaturated hydrocarbon chains do?

  Unsaturated hydrocarbon chains are kinked, which prevents regular packing and enhances membrane fluidity.
• What do saturated hydrocarbon chains do?


  Saturated hydrocarbon tails are closely packed together, decreasing membrane fluidity.
• What does extreme PH do?

  Extreme PH denatures membrane proteins, therefore disrupting lipid interactions, which increases membrane permeability.
• What does a high temperature do?

  High temperatures increase fluidity and permeability of the membrane
• What does a low temperature exist?

  Low temperatures reduce fluidity, meaning that the membrane is more rigid and less permeable.