Sketch how membrane fluidity would vary by temperature for a phospholipid mixture that has a melting temperature of -30 degrees celcius? On a separate sketch show how this would change if cholesterol was included? The Impact of Temperature on Membrane Fluidity in Phospholipid Mixtures

The Impact of Temperature on Membrane Fluidity in Phospholipid Mixtures

Membrane fluidity is a factor that has a major influence on the structure and function of biological membranes. This property is affected by the temperature of the environment, and particularly so in phospholipid mixtures that have a melting temperature of -30°C. As the temperature increases, the mobility of the lipids in the membrane increases, which in turn increases membrane fluidity. Conversely, a decrease in temperature causes a decrease in membrane fluidity as the mobility of the lipids decreases (Fara et al., 2019). Studies have shown that a mixture of phospholipids with a melting point of -30°C has an optimum temperature for membrane fluidity at around -15°C (Kumar et al., 2016). At temperatures above this, the mobility of the lipids increases, leading to increased membrane fluidity. Conversely, temperatures below this optimum point result in decreased mobility of the lipids and decrease membrane fluidity. In addition to temperature, the physical characteristics of the phospholipids present in the membrane also play a role in determining the membrane fluidity. Cont….