Membrane Fluidity Quiz

What is the main purpose of membrane budding and fusion in cells?

To hinder cell signaling interactions
To prevent the distribution of membrane lipids and proteins
To enable rapid diffusion of membrane proteins within the bilayer plane (correct)
To ensure uneven distribution of membrane molecules between daughter cells

Which factor does NOT influence the mobility (diffusion) of membrane components according to the Fluid Mosaic Model?

Presence of cholesterol in the membrane (correct)
Size of the molecule
Interactions with other molecules
Temperature

What is one effect of heat on biomembranes below the phase transition temperature?

Reduced lipid-protein interactions
Increased stability of fatty acyl chains
Fatty acyl chains are in a fluid state
Fatty acyl chains are in a gel-like state (correct)

How do short C-H chains impact membrane fluidity?

Make membranes more fluid (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of lipid composition in influencing the physical properties of a biomembrane?

Influences membrane thickness (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which specialized membrane function is associated with sphingolipids and phosphoglycerides?

Apical surface in the intestinal lumen (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of membranes in living cells?

Energy Production (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the fluidity of eukaryotic membranes important?

For proper functioning and adaptation to the environment (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which lipid is the most abundant in biomembranes?

Sphingolipids (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the Fluid Mosaic Model of biomembranes?

Cell Adhesion (B) Signup and view all the answers

In cell signaling, what role do membranes play?

Maintaining cell shape (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is selective permeability crucial for the plasma membrane?

To control what enters and exits the cell for proper functioning (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of cholesterol in the phospholipid bilayer?

Restricting the random movement of phospholipid head groups (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does cholesterol affect membrane fluidity in animal cells?

Increases fluidity by filling gaps between unsaturated tails (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which phospholipid composition would lead to natural curvature in a membrane?

Enriched with PC in the exoplasmic leaflet and PE in the cytoplasmic face (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of having a shorter chain length of hydrocarbon tails in phospholipids?

Decreased lipid interactions and increased fluidity (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which process moves phospholipids from one membrane leaflet to the opposite leaflet?

Flippase activity (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main determinant of acyl chain mobility in a lipid bilayer?

Van der Waals interactions between fatty acyl chains (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do double bonds in fatty acyl chains impact lipid packing?

Create kinks and enhance fluidity (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which lipid is known to signal for scavenger cells to remove and destroy apoptotic cells?

Phosphatidylserine (PS) (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which process disturbs the asymmetric distribution of phospholipids in the membrane?

Apoptosis (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of phospholipase in regulating membrane composition?

Cleaving phospholipids at exoplasmic sides (A) Signup and view all the answers