Question

refer to the table. the phospholipids in the cell membranes of a fish species were observed to undergo a change in fatty acid composition when the fish were shifted from one environmental condition to another. data from an investigation reporting these observations are shown in the table. what property of cell membranes is affected by this change, and how is this property affected
membrane fluidity is decreased in the shift from condition 1 to condition 2.
membrane permeability to hydrophobic substances is decreased in the shift from condition 1 to condition 2.
membrane fluidity is increased in the shift from condition 1 to condition 2.
membrane permeability to hydrophilic substances is increased in the shift from condition 1 to condition 2.
membrane transport via facilitated diffusion is increased in the shift from condition 1 to condition 2.

Explanation:

Unsaturated fatty acids have kinks due to double bonds, which prevent tight packing. A decrease in the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids (from 0.72 to 0.59) means more unsaturated fatty acids. More unsaturated fatty acids increase membrane fluidity. Membrane permeability to hydrophobic substances is mainly due to the non - polar nature of the membrane (not directly affected by this ratio change in the way described in the wrong options). Membrane permeability to hydrophilic substances is regulated by channels and transporters. Facilitated diffusion is related to transport proteins, not directly to the fatty acid composition ratio in this context.

Answer:

Membrane fluidity is increased in the shift from condition 1 to condition 2.