Question

DNA does not code for lipids. In spite of this, gene activation can lead to a change in the fluidity of plasma membranes as an organism acclimatizes to a drop in temperature. Explain how this is possible.

Answer 1

Answer-

1.DNA does not code for lipids but DNA codes for mRNA which can synthesize specific enzymes (protein) that affects lipids.

2. At high temperatures membrane fluidization and at low temperature membranes rigidification occurs. Temperature variations changes membrane fluidity and to resist these changes certain genes are expressed to resist the change in temperature.

3. When organism acclimatizes to drop in temperature at that time genes that codes for enzyme fatty acid desaturase are expressed at high rate than normal. These genes desA, desB, desC and dead that codes for mRNA that synthesizes enzyme desaturase by translation.

4. Enzyme fatty acid desaturase desaturates membrane fatty acids and increase in membrane unsaturated fatty acid increases membrane fluidity that resist chilling temperatures and allows organism to live at low temperatures.

5. So that fatty acid desaturase gene activation can lead to change in fluidity of plasma membrane as an organism acclimatizes to drop in temperature.