Bacteria are known to change the kinds of fatty acids they produce as the temperature of their environment changes. What types of changes in membrane fatty acids would you expect as the temperature drops? Why?

Bacteria has the ability to adapat according to the changes in the temperature. Bacteria has fatty acid cell membrane and can alter its composition to adapt the changes in temperature.

When the temperature drops, changes in the fatty acid membrane of bacteria are as following:

cell membrane become rigid and limit the flow of nutrients or decrease membrane fluidity. High concentrate of unsaturated fatty acids starts producing in order to fulfil the limited acitivity.

Optimal temperature is required for the growth of bacteria, that is why bacteria changes cell membrane composition. If the nutrients flow will not be limited then it can affect the internal cells of the bacteria and it will not be able to survive inthe extreme conditions.

Hence, bacteria adapt according to the extreme temperature.