What effect do cis double bonds generally have on fatty-acid chains in membranes?
Answer
They introduce bends and limit close packing
Explanation
Cis double bonds create bends or kinks in fatty-acid chains. This prevents close packing and can increase membrane fluidity. Trans double bonds cause less bending and make chains more similar in shape to saturated fatty acids. **Key takeaway:** Cis unsaturation influences lipid packing and membrane fluidity. **Glossary:** Cis configuration: adjacent hydrogens lie on the same side of a double bond.