Question

multiple choice question
compare the two archaeal membranes illustrated here. which of the following statements is true?

• membrane b is a more rigid structure.
• membrane a is likely to be found in an extreme thermophile.
• membrane a has a lipid monolayer.
• membrane b has a lipid bilayer.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• For "Membrane B is a more rigid structure": Archaea membranes can have monolayers (more rigid) or bilayers. Membrane B appears to be a monolayer (structure suggests single lipid layer), making it more rigid than a bilayer (like Membrane A, which looks like a bilayer).
• "Membrane A is likely to be found in an extreme thermophile": Extreme thermophiles have more rigid (monolayer) membranes; Membrane A looks like a bilayer, so this is false.
• "Membrane A has a lipid monolayer": Membrane A's structure (two layers) indicates a bilayer, so false.
• "Membrane B has a lipid bilayer": Membrane B's structure suggests a monolayer, so false.

So the correct statement is that Membrane B is a more rigid structure.

Answer:

A. Membrane B is a more rigid structure.