How do temperature changes affect individual molecules and enzyme function?
Temperature variation can cause changes at the molecular level. Homeoviscous membrane adaptations occur as a result of temperature changes. The cell membrane and many functions associated with the cell membrane are sensitive to temperature change. Low temperatures cause the membrane to enter a gel-like phase with very high membrane viscosity. High temperatures, on the other hand, cause the membrane to enter a hyperfluid phase with very low viscosity. Initially, acute temperature changes cause changes in membrane polarity and fluidity. On the other hand, after acclimation to both high and low temperatures, the resulting homeoviscous adaptations cause similar lipid polarization and membrane viscosity at both temperatures. Temperature variation causes certain changes in enzymes. The rate of enzymatically controlled reactions changes due to temperature. This process is called enzyme acclimation. Enzyme acclimation can occur due to changes that occur in the molecular structure of one or mor
