Question

If I was culturing a bacteria in less than 20degC and raised the temperature to 37degC after a few hours, how will this temperature change affect the:

a) transition temperature of the lipid bilayer

b) activity of the enzyme membrane desaturase

Answer 1

Generally,an increase in temperature will increase enzyme activity. But if temperatures get too high, enzyme activity will diminish and the protein (the enzyme) will denature.

Every bacterial species has specific growth temperature requirements which is largely determined by the temperature requirements of its enzymes.

a) transition temperature of the lipid bilayer

One of the most important properties of a lipid bilayer is the relative mobility (fluidity) of the individual lipid molecules and how this mobility changes with temperature. This response is known as the phase behavior of the bilayer.

b) activity of the enzyme membrane desaturase

A fatty acid desaturase is an enzyme that removes two hydrogen atoms from a fatty acid, creating a carbon/carbon double bond. an increase in temperature will increase enzyme activity.

37degC is optimum temperature for most of the bacteria so if in increase temperature enzyme activity will increase

Thank You!