Which adaptation is acquired by plants of cooler areas to prevent lipid crystal formation in cell membrane?
Correct answer: C. Increase in proportion of unsaturated fatty acids.
- A. Change in membrane protein composition.
- B. Change in the solute composition of the cell membrane which prevents crystallization.
- C. Increase in proportion of unsaturated fatty acids.
- D. Development of heat shock proteins.
Explanation
Increasing unsaturated fatty acids keeps membrane lipids fluid at low temperatures because their bends prevent tight packing and crystal formation. Students may choose a because membrane proteins can also change during adaptation, but protein composition does not directly prevent lipid crystallization.
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