Question

The plasma membrane surrounding cells consists primarily of phospholipids. Which change in the structure of a phospholipid would allow plants to survive a cold winter?

Answer 1

The correct answer would be- by increasing the number of kinks present in the phospholipids.

Explanation:

Phospholipids are the major component of the plasma membrane that acts as the barrier between the cell cytoplasm and the outer environment. The phospholipids have a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. The hydrophobic tail has saturated and one unsaturated chain. The unsaturated chain has double bonds in them that create kink which is helpful in preventing adjacent phospholipid molecules to packed closely.

In winter plant cells increase the number kinks of the phospholipid to cells to survive in stressed conditions like winter.

Thus, the correct answer is- by increasing the number of kinks present in the phospholipids.