Membrane lipids found in tissue samples obtained from different parts of leg of the reindeer have different fatty acid composition, membrane lipids from fatty acids near the hooves have a larger portion of unsaturated fatty acids than those found near the upper leg. What is the significance of this phenomenon
Hooves are exposed to extreme cold temperatures (ice) in case of raindeer. So the unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio is high in hooves Unsaturated fatty acid have lower freezing temperatures than saturated . Because of that in the hooves tissue cell membrane even though the temperatures is low cell membrane don’t freeze. This is how fluidity of the cell membrane is still maintained.And at upper leg unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio is lower.so even though temperature is little higher cell membrane is kept rigid by incorporating more saturated fatty acids
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.