In: Biology
A new archaebacterium species was discovered that strives at elevated temperatures. List three differences in the membrane composition of the archaebacterium:
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2
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If the archaebacterium is normally grown at 80oC is transferred to medium at 37oC, give two changes (adaptations) the bacterium can make to the composition of membrane lipids. Be specific and include modifiers such as increase/decrease, etc.
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2
Part A
1. More number of saturated fatty acids are present in the membrane of bacteria living at high temperature. It is because these are straight chain fatty acids which can tightly packed with each other. At high temperature, the permeability of the membrane increases which is restored back to the normal permeability level by tight packing of saturated fatty acids present in plasma membrane.
2. More and more number of phospholipids are incorporated into the membrane so as to increase the the melting temperature of the membrane.
3. Ether linkages are present in this phospholipids so that they are not easily lost at such a high temperature.
Part B
1. If the bacteria is shifted to 37 degree Celsius, then the number of saturated fatty acids in the membrane will decrease and the bacteria will incorporate an equal number of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid in the membrane.
This is because a temperature of 37 degrees is neither too high nor too low. Therefore the permeability of the plasma membrane can be kept at normal levels by almost an equal concentration of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
2. Comparatively lesser number of phospholipid will be incorporated into the membrane now.
3. Instead of ether linkages, Ester linkages will be present in the membrane.
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