Answer
Bacterial cell membranes are composed of phospholipids (glycerol phosphate with 2 hydrocarbon chains). Bacteria have membrane phospholipids with fatty acids chains ester-linked to D-glycerol. Cells regulate membrane fluidity by adjusting the membrane lipid composition. The fatty acid tails of phospholipids also affect membrane fluidity. The saturated fatty acids (Those having no double bonds in their hydrocarbon chain) make the membranes more rigid and strong, but less permeable. The unsaturated fatty acids, with one or more double bonds(or of the cis unsaturated type) increase membrane fluidity or permeability, by disrupting close packing of fatty acid tails.
Work Step by Step
Bacterial cell membranes are composed of phospholipids (glycerol phosphate with 2 hydrocarbon chains). Bacteria have membrane phospholipids with fatty acids chains ester-linked to D-glycerol. Cells regulate membrane fluidity by adjusting the membrane lipid composition. The fatty acid tails of phospholipids also affect membrane fluidity. The saturated fatty acids (Those having no double bonds in their hydrocarbon chain) make the membranes more rigid and strong, but less permeable. The unsaturated fatty acids, with one or more double bonds(or of the cis unsaturated type) increase membrane fluidity or permeability, by disrupting close packing of fatty acid tails.
