Question

A bacterial culture growing at 20°C was shifted to 45°C. Incorporation of which of the following fatty acids in the membrane will be beneficial for its survival?

• A. long chain fatty acids
• B. short chain fatty acids
• C. unsaturated fatty acids
• D. saturated fatty acids

Hint:

At higher temperatures, incorporating saturated fatty acids into membranes reduces fluidity and enhances membrane stability, which is critical for bacterial survival.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, D

Step 1: Understanding membrane fluidity.
At higher temperatures, bacterial membranes tend to become more fluid, which can lead to instability. To counteract this, bacteria incorporate saturated fatty acids into their membranes to decrease fluidity and maintain structural integrity.

Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) long chain fatty acids: Long-chain fatty acids tend to increase membrane rigidity, but they are not as effective at maintaining membrane stability at high temperatures compared to saturated fatty acids.
(B) short chain fatty acids: Short-chain fatty acids tend to increase membrane fluidity, which would be less beneficial for bacterial survival at higher temperatures.
(C) unsaturated fatty acids: Unsaturated fatty acids increase membrane fluidity, which would not be beneficial at higher temperatures as it would make the membrane too fluid.
(D) saturated fatty acids: Correct — Saturated fatty acids are beneficial for maintaining membrane integrity at high temperatures because they reduce membrane fluidity and increase membrane stability.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) saturated fatty acids, as they help maintain membrane stability at high temperatures.