How do the cell membranes of a hibernating animal change in colder temperatures?
A) Cholesterol content is increased.
B) Saturated fatty acids are more tightly packed.
C) Integral membrane proteins increase in number.
D) Unsaturated fatty acids make up more of the lipid composition.
E) Fatty acids with longer tails increase in number.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In colder temperatures, the cell membranes of hibernating animals change in order to maintain their fluidity by incorporating more unsaturated fatty acids into their lipid composition. Unsaturated fatty acids have kinks in their carbon chains that prevent them from packing tightly together, thus maintaining the membrane's fluidity.

How Do the Cell Membranes of a Hibernating Animal Change