3 a If a bacterium that normally lives in the warm climate s

3. a) If a bacterium that normally lives in the warm climate suddenly finds itself in a cool climate, what would be the effect on the fluidity of its plasma membrane?
b) If the bacterium needs to keep its membrane fluidity constant, what specific changes can the bacteria make to the plasma membrane composition to make the plasma membrane go from less fluid to more fluid?

Solution

(a) the fluidity of plasma membrane would decrease.

(b) the bacteria will have to incorporate more of unsaturated fatty acid molecules in the plasma membrane to increase the fluidity.