Bacteria are typically grown at a temperature of 37 degrees

Bacteria are typically grown at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. When the temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius the bacteria die.

Question: What happens to the membrane of the bacteria at 45 degrees Celsius?

Solution

Bacterial membrane have high fluidity at optimum temperature which is due to unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). At temperatures higher than optimum temperature, membrane fluidity decreases. This disallows the entry of nutrients and other substances into the bacterial cell, thus leading to their death.