How does temperature affect the proteins and lipids in cell membranes?

Question

I am just confused how this works. I know that temperature can affect the speed the molecules move, but how does that relate to, say, letting a colorful subtance contained in the cytoplasm out when its heated or cooled extremely? I hope this question makes sense...

Answer 1

The color is due to a type of molecule and as the temperature increases that color molecule would start moving faster. This causes the molecule to bump into the membrane more and more frequently which increases the chance it has to diffuse out. So when you are looking at lots of color molecules then they will move out of the membrane faster because they have a better chance of encountering the membrane.

The opposite is true when it gets colder. The molecules slow down and and don't hit the membrane as much so then don't leave as fast.