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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Physical Properties of Alcohols and Phenols02:32

Physical Properties of Alcohols and Phenols

Alcohols are organic compounds in which a hydroxy group is attached to a saturated carbon. Phenols are a class of alcohols containing a hydroxy group attached to an aromatic ring. The physical properties of the alcohols and phenols are influenced by hydrogen bonding due to the oxygen–hydrogen dipole in the hydroxy functional group and dispersion forces between alkyl or aryl regions of alcohol and phenol molecules.
Alcohols possess a higher boiling point than aliphatic hydrocarbons of similar...
Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones01:17

Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones

In the presence of oxidizing agents, phenols are oxidized to quinones. Quinones can be easily reduced back to phenols using mild reducing agents. The electron-donating hydroxyl group enhances the reactivity of the aromatic ring, enabling oxidation of the ring even in the absence of an α hydrogen.
o-hydroxy phenols are oxidized to o-quinones and p-hydroxy phenols to p-quinones. Such redox reactions involve the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The reversible redox property is crucial in...
Hydrolysis of Chlorobenzene to Phenol: Dow Process01:10

Hydrolysis of Chlorobenzene to Phenol: Dow Process

Simple aryl halides do not react with nucleophiles under normal conditions. However, the reaction can proceed under drastic conditions involving high temperatures and high pressure to give the substituted products. For example, chlorobenzene is converted to phenol using aqueous sodium hydroxide at 350 °C under high pressure by the Dow process. The reaction follows an elimination-addition mechanism involving a benzyne intermediate. Here, the chloride ion is eliminated to generate the benzyne...
Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, which...

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Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film
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Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film

Published on: July 10, 2016

Substituted phenols as pollutants that affect membrane fluidity.

Claudia Nunes1, Celia Sousa, Helena Ferreira

  • 1REQUIMTE, Physical-Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Anibal Cunha, 164, 4099-030 Porto, Portugal.

Journal of Environmental Biology
|March 20, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Phenolic compounds, common pollutants, alter cell membrane fluidity. Nitro-substituted phenols are most disruptive, showing liposomes effectively model these toxic effects.

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Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Biophysics
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Cellular effects of molecular compounds are linked to their impact on lipid-membrane physical properties.
  • Altered membrane fluidity can lead to dysfunction and disease.
  • Phenolic compounds are priority pollutants with known membrane-active properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physical effects of priority pollutant phenolic compounds on cell and liposome membranes.
  • To assess the role of membrane fluidity in the toxicological action of these phenols.
  • To evaluate the utility of liposomes as model systems for studying phenol derivatives.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mice splenocytes and liposomes as model systems.
  • Assessed membrane fluidity using fluorescence steady-state anisotropy with 1,6-diphenil-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) as a fluorescent probe.
  • Examined a range of substituted phenols, including nitro-substituted and chlorinated phenols.

Main Results:

  • Substituted phenols increased membrane fluidity in a concentration-dependent manner.
  • Nitro-substituted phenols demonstrated the highest efficacy in perturbing membrane biophysical properties.
  • A strong correlation was observed between results from cell models and liposome systems.

Conclusions:

  • Liposomes serve as effective alternative models for studying membrane modifications induced by phenol derivatives.
  • Liposome models can be practically employed to assess the potential toxicity of environmental pollutant phenols.
  • Understanding phenol interactions with membrane fluidity is crucial for toxicological risk assessment.