Answer:
c. The ratio of long to short fatty acid tails in the membrane phospholipids increases
e. There is an increase in the saturation state of the fatty acid tails of membrane phospholipids
Explanation:
In biological lipid membranes, the homeoviscosity refers to the process by which the membrane 'adapts' its lipid composition to maintain a proper fluidity. It is well known that the membrane's fluidity increases with increasing temperatures. In this regard, it is important to have into account two points. First, the length of the fatty acid tail alters the membrane's fluidity: shorter fatty acid tails increase fluidity, while longer fatty acid tails decrease it (because shorter tails establish fewer molecular interactions between fatty acids tails). Second, the degree of saturation (i.e., the number of bonds between the carbon atoms) of fatty acids tails also affects homeoviscosity. A higher saturated fatty acid content decreases the membrane's fluidity because saturated tails are arranged in order to maximize molecular interactions between fatty acids tails.