Membrane Isolation Alters the Gel to Liquid Crystal Transition of <i>Acholeplasma laidlawii</i> B

Abstract

The gel to liquid crystal phase transition of membrane lipids of live Acholeplasma laidlawii B was monitored by infrared spectroscopy. It was found that, while isolated membranes are predominantly in the gel phase at the growth temperature, the live cell membranes contain a large liquid crystal phase component.