Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Marine Microbial Ecology

Marine Microbial Ecology

Marine microbial ecosystems are shaped by distinct physicochemical limits, including high salinity, low nutrient availability, and fluctuating oxygen levels. These conditions favor smaller microbial cell sizes, which maximize their surface-to-volume ratio for efficient nutrient uptake.Microbial activity and community composition are closely linked to biogeochemical cycles, particularly in dynamic environments like estuaries, where halotolerant microbes thrive in response to variable salinity...

Membrane Fluidity

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.

Membrane Fluidity

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...

Freshwater Microbial Ecology

Freshwater Microbial Ecology

Freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes exhibit distinct physical and biological characteristics that influence their microbial communities. These environments are broadly categorized into lotic systems—those with flowing waters like streams and most rivers—and lentic systems, which include still or slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, and marshes.In lentic systems, phytoplankton drive primary production, generating autochthonous organic carbon. In contrast, lotic...

Responses to Heat and Cold Stress

Responses to Heat and Cold Stress

Every organism has an optimum temperature range within which healthy growth and physiological functioning can occur. At the ends of this range, there will be a minimum and maximum temperature that interrupt biological processes.

Responses to Drought and Flooding

Responses to Drought and Flooding

Water plays a significant role in the life cycle of plants. However, insufficient or excess of water can be detrimental and pose a serious threat to plants.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The 5:2 diet induces male-specific weight loss and sex-independent enhancement of lipid storage in mice via activation of GHSR.

Frontiers in nutrition·2026

Same author

Lipid regulation in <i>Brassica napus</i>: spatiotemporal studies to enhance our understanding.

Frontiers in plant science·2026

Same author

Anti-Atherogenic Actions of Pomegranate Polyphenol Punicalagin and Its Metabolites: In Vitro Effects on Vascular Cells and In Vivo Atheroprotection by Urolithin A via Anti-Inflammatory and Plaque-Stabilising Mechanisms.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

Home-Based Prehabilitation for Older Surgical Patients With Frailty: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA surgery·2025

Same author

Lake depth influences mercury and omega-3 levels in Walleye via resource utilization shifts.

Environmental research·2025

Same author

Increasing oil content in Brassica oilseed species.

Progress in lipid research·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Published on: October 1, 2013

RISING WATER TEMPERATURES ALTER LIPID DYNAMICS AND REDUCE N-3 ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID CONCENTRATIONS IN SCENEDESMUS

Jenny R Fuschino¹, Irina A Guschina¹, Gary Dobson¹

¹Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, CanadaSchool of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UKThe Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, ScotlandDepartment of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, CanadaSchool of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UKEnvironment Canada, National Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 5050, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 4A6, Canada.

Journal of Phycology

|March 30, 2016

Summary

Climate warming reduces essential n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the phytoplankton Scenedesmus obliquus. Higher temperatures decrease alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), potentially impacting food quality for aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords:

Scenedesmus chlorophyte climate change essential fatty acids polar lipids radiolabel temperature unsaturation

More Related Videos

Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass

Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass

Published on: June 24, 2016

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures

Published on: January 7, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

Published on: October 1, 2013

Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass

Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass

Published on: June 24, 2016

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

* Environmental science and aquatic ecology
* Biochemistry and lipid metabolism

Background:

* Phytoplankton produce essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) crucial for aquatic food webs.
* Environmental temperature is a known factor influencing PUFA biosynthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

* To investigate the impact of climate warming on lipid and fatty acid (FA) profiles of Scenedesmus obliquus.
* To assess changes in FA metabolism under elevated temperatures.

Main Methods:

* Comparison of lipid and FA profiles of Scenedesmus obliquus at 20°C and 28°C.
* Metabolic analysis using [1-(14)C] acetate incorporation into fatty acids.

Main Results:

* Elevated temperature (28°C) decreased n-3 PUFAs, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and increased saturated fatty acids (SAFAs).
* Radioactivity incorporation indicated altered de novo fatty acid synthesis and elongation/desaturation pathways.
* Specific changes observed in phospholipid classes (PC, PE, PG) with temperature shifts.

Conclusions:

* Warming significantly alters lipid dynamics in Scenedesmus obliquus, reducing essential n-3 PUFAs.
* These changes may decrease food quality for higher trophic levels, representing an additional climate change stressor.