Which of the following membranes is expected to have higher Tm value?
one containing lipids with Octadecanoic acid
one containing lipids with 9-Octadecenoic acid
one containing lipids with Octadecanoic acid and cholesterol
one containing lipids with 9-Octadecenoic acid and cholesterol
the Tm values of all above membranes are very similar
Higher Tm value: One containing lipids with octadecanoic acid and cholesterol
Tm or melting temperature of lipid membranes increase as the membrane loses fluidity and becomes stiffer. Stiffness is imparted by presence of cholesterol and of saturated fatty acids. Octadecanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid containing 18 carbons whereas 9 octadecanoic acid is a 18 carbon long fatty acid with one double bond. Double bond introduces fluidity into the membrane.
Thus fatty acid with no double bond (octadecanoic acid) and cholesterol will make the membrane stiff.
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