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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature01:27

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature

Microorganisms display remarkable adaptations, enabling them to thrive in diverse ecological niches across a wide range of temperatures. Temperature profoundly influences microbial growth by affecting enzymatic activity, membrane fluidity, and other cellular processes.Each microorganism operates within a specific temperature range defined by three cardinal points: minimum, optimum, and maximum. Below the minimum temperature, membranes lose fluidity, halting transport processes. Above the...
Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea01:27

Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea

The plasma membrane is an essential cellular structure responsible for maintaining cellular integrity and regulating the selective transport of molecules. While bacteria and archaea share the fundamental function of plasma membranes, their structural and molecular differences reflect adaptations to distinct ecological and physiological challenges.Bacterial Plasma MembranesBacterial plasma membranes are predominantly composed of phospholipids with fatty acid chains ester-linked to a glycerol...
Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

Fluid Mosaic Model

Scientists identified the plasma membrane in the 1890s and its principal chemical components (lipids and proteins) by 1915. The model for plasma membrane structure, proposed in 1935 by Hugh Davson and James Danielli, was the first model to be widely accepted in the scientific community. The model was based on the plasma membrane's "railroad track" appearance in early electron micrographs. Davson and Danielli theorized that the plasma membrane's structure resembled a sandwich with the analogy of...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer
10:11

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer

Published on: April 19, 2021

Two temperature-dependent membrane fluidity regimes in gram-positive bacteria.

Aurélien Barbotin1, Dimitri Juillot1, Paprapach Wongdontree1

  • 1Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France.

Msphere
|June 11, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Bacteria maintain membrane fluidity homeostasis by adjusting lipid composition. However, this study reveals bacteria only maintain fluidity at low temperatures, with fluidity increasing at higher temperatures.

Keywords:
TIR-FCSgram-positive bacteriaplasma membrane fluiditythermoadaptation

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Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii
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Monitoring Changes in Membrane Polarity, Membrane Integrity, and Intracellular Ion Concentrations in Streptococcus pneumoniae Using Fluorescent Dyes
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Monitoring Changes in Membrane Polarity, Membrane Integrity, and Intracellular Ion Concentrations in Streptococcus pneumoniae Using Fluorescent Dyes

Published on: February 17, 2014

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Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Temperature-Controlled Assembly and Characterization of a Droplet Interface Bilayer
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Published on: April 19, 2021

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii
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Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii

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Monitoring Changes in Membrane Polarity, Membrane Integrity, and Intracellular Ion Concentrations in Streptococcus pneumoniae Using Fluorescent Dyes
11:17

Monitoring Changes in Membrane Polarity, Membrane Integrity, and Intracellular Ion Concentrations in Streptococcus pneumoniae Using Fluorescent Dyes

Published on: February 17, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Bacterial physiology
  • Membrane biophysics
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Plasma membrane fluidity is crucial for bacterial cell functions like protein activity and antibiotic resistance.
  • Bacteria are believed to maintain constant membrane fluidity (homeostasis) by altering lipid composition in response to temperature changes.
  • This adaptation is vital for bacterial survival in fluctuating environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To directly quantify membrane fluidity in *Bacillus subtilis*, *Streptococcus pneumoniae*, and *Staphylococcus aureus* across a temperature range.
  • To challenge the established view of constant membrane fluidity homeostasis in bacteria.
  • To provide a new framework for understanding bacterial thermoadaptation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized total internal reflection-fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (TIR-FCS) to measure membrane fluidity.
  • Investigated fluidity in three gram-positive bacterial species: *B. subtilis*, *S. pneumoniae*, and *S. aureus*.
  • Tested bacteria across a temperature gradient from 20°C to 37°C.

Main Results:

  • Contrary to expectations, membrane fluidity was not constant across the tested temperature range.
  • Membrane fluidity was maintained only at lower temperatures (below 26°C).
  • Above 26°C, membrane fluidity increased linearly with rising temperature.

Conclusions:

  • The long-standing model of bacterial membrane fluidity homeostasis requires revision.
  • Bacteria exhibit a two-component regime for membrane fluidity regulation.
  • Findings offer a refined understanding of bacterial thermoadaptation and membrane function across species.