Question

the unsaturated lipid dha is an omega - 3 fatty acid that is synthesized in your body or obtained from a diet containing certain types of fish like salmon and tuna. dha is an important component of your cell membranes. recent research has shown that, as you age, the levels of dha in your neuronal cell membranes decrease. even greater decreases have been observed in patients with alzheimers disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 6 million people in the united states. how do you predict the fluidity and permeability of neuronal cell membranes will change as dha levels decrease? select all that apply. permeability will decrease because dha is an unsaturated fatty acid so its presence usually increases membrane permeability. permeability will be altered but other changes in the membrane composition could compensate for the loss of dha and help maintain neuronal cell function. fluidity will not change because dha is not a phospholipid and membrane fluidity is not affected by the presence or absence of other types of lipids. fluidity will decrease because dha is an unsaturated fatty acid so its presence usually increases membrane fluidity. incorrect at least one more option should be selected.

Explanation:

Unsaturated fatty acids like DHA increase membrane fluidity. A decrease in DHA would thus lower fluidity. Also, DHA affects permeability and other membrane - components might compensate for DHA loss to maintain cell function. Permeability is likely to be altered as DHA is important for membrane structure.

Answer:

• Permeability will decrease because DHA is an unsaturated fatty acid so its presence usually increases membrane permeability.
• Permeability will be altered but other changes in the membrane composition could compensate for the loss of DHA and help maintain neuronal cell function.
• Fluidity will decrease because DHA is an unsaturated fatty acid so its presence usually increases membrane fluidity.