In biology, membrane fluidity refers to the viscosity of the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane or a synthetic lipid membrane. Lipid packing can influence the fluidity of the membrane. Viscosity of the membrane can affect the rotation and diffusion of proteins and other bio-molecules within the membrane, there-by affecting the functions of these things.[1]
Membrane fluidity is affected by fatty acids. More specifically, whether the fatty acids are saturated or unsaturated has an effect on membrane fluidity. Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain, and the maximum amount of hydrogen. The absence of double bonds increases fluidity. Unsaturated fatty acids have at least one double bond, creating a "kink" in the chain. The double bond decreases fluidity. While the addition of one double bond raises the melting temperature, research conducted by Xiaoguang Yang et. al. supports that four or more double bonds has a direct correlation to membrane fluidity. Membrane fluidity is also affected by cholesterol.[2] Cholesterol can make the cell membrane fluid as well as rigid.
^Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Yang, Xiaoguang; Sheng, Wenwen; Sun, Grace Y.; Lee, James C-M. (February 2011). "Effects of fatty acid unsaturation numbers on membrane fluidity and α-secretase-dependent amyloid precursor protein processing". Neurochemistry International. 58 (3): 321–329. doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2010.12.004. ISSN 0197-0186. PMC 3040984. PMID 21184792.
In biology, membranefluidity refers to the viscosity of the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane or a synthetic lipid membrane. Lipid packing can influence...
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adaptation of the cell membrane lipid composition to keep the adequate membranefluidity. The maintenance of proper cell membranefluidity is of critical importance...
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increasingly high cell membrane content of both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, to maintain greater membranefluidity (and functionality)...
fatty-acid chains, cholesterol increases membrane packing, which both alters membranefluidity and maintains membrane integrity so that animal cells do not...
principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membranefluidity; and as signaling molecules. Examples include the lipid...
laterally through the lipid matrix and migrate over the membrane. Sterols contribute to membranefluidity by hindering the packing together of phospholipids...
cell membranes. Laurdan shows this effect more evidently because of its polar characteristics. Laurdan was first applied to study membranefluidity of live...
enzymes for beta oxidation and transport proteins, thereby increasing membranefluidity. Snailfish have an elongated, tadpole-like shape. Their heads are...
necessary for the signal transduction. Lipid rafts influence membranefluidity and membrane protein trafficking, thereby regulating neurotransmission and...
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of FAs chains have a profound effect on membranes' fluidity. Plant thylakoid membranes maintain high fluidity, even at relatively cold environmental temperatures...
readily available. Expression of heat shock proteins and regulation of membranefluidity are just two of many biochemical methods organisms use to acclimate...
signaling networks. Membranefluidity: Flow cytometry can detect membranefluidity by utilizing fluorescent probes that are sensitive to membrane characteristics...
membranefluidity and consequently reduce bile secretion. Bile flow was similarly reduced in rats as a result of alterations to basolateral membrane fluidity...
in neurological disorders. These alterations result in changes in membranefluidity and permeability. These processes along with the accumulation of lipid...
melting temperature of the membrane or of the fat. Cis unsaturated fatty acids, however, increase cellular membranefluidity, whereas trans unsaturated...
receptor found at the plasma membrane. Ion channels, transporters, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), and membranefluidity have all been shown to be affected...
increase in surface area of the red blood cell membranes or may be increased red cell membranefluidity. Alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia Hemoglobin...
abiotic stresses, like drought or salinity. When temperature drops, the membranefluidity, RNA and DNA stability, and enzyme activity change. These, in turn...
assess the membrane damage in spermatozoa; this is crucial because oxidative stress affects sperm function by altering membranefluidity, permeability...
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maintaining proper membranefluidity and normal functions of the cell membrane. Ergosterol replaces cholesterol found in the cell membranes of mammalian cells...
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