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Membrane adaptation in phospholipids and cholesterol in the widely distributed, freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica

Reynolds, Alice M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1385557181

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Science, Miami University, Zoology.
Maintaining proper membrane phase and fluidity is important for preserving membrane structure and function in the face of environmental stress. By altering membrane composition, organisms can adapt to changing conditions. We investigated the phospholipid and cholesterol composition of liver and brain plasma membranes of Rana sylvatica seasonally in populations from Ohio and Alaska, after thermal acclimation, and during acute freezing/thawing exposure. Cholesterol levels remained constant in all experiments except in the brain after thermal acclimation, where there was less cholesterol at lower temperature, which is a common response to increase fluidity. Accordingly, liver membranes contained less cholesterol in Alaskan than Ohioan frogs. Whereas brain phospholipid composition did not change in any experiment, liver phospholipids changed in all but the freeze/thaw experiment. Predictably, phosphatidylethanolamine increased with lower acclimation temperature. From summer to winter, Ohioan frogs decreased phosphatidylcholine and increased sphingomyelin, while Alaskan frogs decreased phosphatidylserine, indicating different strategies for membrane adaptation.
Richard Lee, PhD (Advisor)
Jon Costanzo, PhD (Advisor)
Andor Kiss, PhD (Committee Member)
39 p.
Biology; Zoology
Membrane adaptation; Phospholipids; Cholesterol; Environmental stress; Freeze tolerance; Rana sylvatica

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Reynolds, A. M. (2013). Membrane adaptation in phospholipids and cholesterol in the widely distributed, freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1385557181

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Reynolds, Alice. Membrane adaptation in phospholipids and cholesterol in the widely distributed, freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica. 2013. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1385557181.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Reynolds, Alice. "Membrane adaptation in phospholipids and cholesterol in the widely distributed, freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1385557181

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1385557181
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.