Staphylothermus mannus is an extremophile archaean that inha

Staphylothermus mannus is an extremophile archaean that inhabits deep oceanic hydrothermal vents at temperatures near boiling. What would be the effect on this species environmental requirements if the membrane lipid linkages were changed from ether bonds to ester bonds? It would require shallower depths with more light. It would only be able to survive farther away from the vents where there is less methane. It would only survive in freshwater habitats. It would only survive in areas farther away from the vents at lower temperatures. It would require anaerobic conditions such as those found in hot springs.

Solution

It would only survive in areas farther away from the vents at lower temperatures.

Explanation:

Ether linkages are more chemically stable than the ester linkages. Cell membranes with ether linkages sustain extreme conditions such as extreme heat and salinity unlike the ones with more of ester bonds.