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Results suggest that growth inhibition due to short-chain linear saturated fatty acids can not be ascribed merely to decreased membrane bilayer thickness in mycoplasmas but can be assigned to the induction of an inappropriate distribution of short-chain saturated fatty acids.

The membranes of the organism Acholeplasma laidlawii exhibit the presence of normal, lamellar and reversed phase-forming lipids. Certain factors such as charge, hydration and motional freedom influence the effective cross-sectional area of the polar headgroups of the lipids. The membrane lipids have a liking for a variety of phases. Phosphatidylglycerol exhibits a weak preference while diglucosyldiacylglycerol has a strong affinity for the lamellar liquid-crystalline phase. Monoglucosyldiacylglycerol and acyl polyprenyl glucoside have a affinity for the reversed hexagonal phase.

Examines the biosynthetic incorporation of short-chain linear saturated fatty acids by Acholeplasma laidlawii. Decrease in membrane lipid bilayer; Fluidity of membrane lipids in cells; Elevation of monoglucosyl diacylglycerol concentration.