If a plant is shifted to cold temperature, which of the following chan...
Changes in Membrane Composition in Cold Temperature Shift
When a plant is shifted to cold temperatures, it undergoes various physiological and biochemical changes to adapt to the new environmental conditions. One of the crucial changes that occur in response to cold stress is the alteration in the composition of membrane lipids. Membrane lipids play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and fluidity of cellular membranes.
Explanation:
The correct answer is option 'A', which states that the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids would increase in the plant's membrane when shifted to cold temperatures. Let's understand why this change occurs:
1. Membrane Fluidity:
Membrane fluidity is essential for the proper functioning of cellular processes. In cold temperatures, membranes tend to become more rigid and lose their fluidity. This can negatively impact the functioning of membrane-associated proteins and other cellular processes. To counteract this, plants make adjustments in their membrane composition.
2. Unsaturated Fatty Acids:
Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds in their carbon chains, which introduce kinks in the fatty acid structure. These kinks prevent the fatty acid chains from packing tightly together, thereby maintaining membrane fluidity even at low temperatures.
3. Saturated Fatty Acids:
Saturated fatty acids, on the other hand, lack double bonds and have straight carbon chains. Due to their linear structure, saturated fatty acids have a higher tendency to pack tightly together, which makes the membrane less fluid and more rigid.
4. Adaptation to Cold Temperatures:
To adapt to cold temperatures, plants increase the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in their membrane lipids. By doing so, they increase the fluidity of their membranes, preventing them from becoming too rigid and maintaining proper cellular functions.
Conclusion:
In summary, when a plant is shifted to cold temperatures, its membrane composition undergoes changes to maintain membrane fluidity. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids increases in the membrane, allowing it to remain fluid and functional in low-temperature conditions.