Cell membranes are affected by temperature. The temperature can affect the structure and permeability of the membrane.
If the temperature is below 0°C, then the phospholipids have little energy - meaning that they move less.
- Due to the temperature, the membrane is rigid but the channel proteins and carrier proteins denature.
- This increases the permeability of the membrane, allowing more substances to diffuse through.
If the temperature is between 0 and 45°C, it means that the phospholipids have more energy and can move around more.
- They aren't packed as closely together and the membrane is partially permeable.
- Increasing the temperature means that the phospholipids have more energy, they move more and then the permeability of the membrane increases.
If the temperature is above 45°C, the phospholipid bilayer begins to break down
- This increases the permeability of the membrane.
- The carrier proteins and channel proteins, denature and the permeability of the membrane continues to increase.