NEET Exam  >  NEET Questions  >   The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold... Start Learning for Free
The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained by
  • a)
    increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tails
  • b)
    increasing the proportion of integral proteins
  • c)
    increasing concentration of cholesterol in membrane
  • d)
    increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tail
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintaine...
The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained by increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tails,
Free Test
Community Answer
The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintaine...
Answer:

In cold weather, the fluidity of membranes in plant cells can be affected due to the decrease in temperature. To maintain the fluidity of membranes in cold weather, plants employ various mechanisms to adapt. One of these mechanisms is the alteration of the composition of phospholipids in the cell membrane.

Increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tails:
One way plants maintain membrane fluidity in cold weather is by increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tails. Unsaturated hydrocarbon tails have double bonds between carbon atoms, which introduce kinks in the hydrocarbon chain. These kinks prevent the hydrocarbon tails from packing tightly together, thereby increasing membrane fluidity. In cold weather, the increase in unsaturated hydrocarbon tails helps to counteract the decrease in fluidity caused by lower temperatures.

Effects of increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tails:
- Increased fluidity: The presence of unsaturated hydrocarbon tails increases the fluidity of the membrane by preventing tight packing of phospholipids.
- Maintaining functionality: Fluidity is crucial for the proper functioning of membrane proteins, as it allows them to move within the lipid bilayer and perform their functions effectively.

Other options:
- Increasing the proportion of integral proteins: While integral proteins play a crucial role in membrane function, increasing their proportion alone will not directly affect membrane fluidity in cold weather.
- Increasing the concentration of cholesterol in the membrane: Cholesterol is more commonly found in animal cell membranes and has a stabilizing effect on membrane fluidity. However, increasing its concentration may not be an effective mechanism for maintaining membrane fluidity in cold weather for plant cells.
- Increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tails: Saturated hydrocarbon tails have no double bonds and can pack tightly together, reducing membrane fluidity. Therefore, increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tails would not help maintain membrane fluidity in cold weather.

In conclusion, the fluidity of membranes in plants in cold weather is maintained by increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tails. This mechanism allows the plant cells to adapt to lower temperatures by preventing the tight packing of lipids and maintaining membrane fluidity.
Attention NEET Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed NEET study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in NEET.
Explore Courses for NEET exam

Top Courses for NEET

The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for NEET 2024 is part of NEET preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the NEET exam syllabus. Information about The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for NEET 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for NEET. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for NEET Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice The fluidity of membranes in a plant in cold weather may be maintained bya)increasing the number of phospholipids with unsaturated hydrocarbon tailsb)increasing the proportion of integral proteinsc)increasing concentration of cholesterol in membraned)increasing the number of phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon tailCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice NEET tests.
Explore Courses for NEET exam

Top Courses for NEET

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev