Fatty acids have played a crucial role in the survival of plants in the Arctic environment.

The research findings are presented in the journal "Plant Physiology." The climatic conditions of the Arctic can undoubtedly be described as extreme, necessitating specific adaptive mechanisms from its inhabitants. One such mechanism is the ability to maintain optimal functional activity of biological membranes through a unique composition of fatty acids in lipids, which ensures cell stability at low temperatures.

Lipids are a diverse group of substances found in all living cells. They include, among others, vitamins A, E, D, K, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Their molecules can consist of alcohol and fatty acids or of alcohol, high-molecular-weight fatty acids, and other components. At room temperature, some lipids are solid, while others are liquid. As part of biological membranes, lipids influence the permeability of cell walls and the activity of many enzymes, contribute to the formation of intercellular contacts, water and thermal insulation layers, create an energy reserve for the organism, and can protect it from mechanical impacts.

In several ecotopes on the island of West Spitsbergen—a unique biogeographical region with a harsh climate where glaciers and plant communities coexist—11 species of higher vascular plants were collected: seven species of herbaceous perennials (stitchwort, alpine saxifrage, stemless campion, two-flowered oxalis, sulfur buttercup, tufted saxifrage, and drooping saxifrage) and four species of shrubs (polar willow, eight-petaled draba, common blueberry, and dwarf birch). Differences in the composition and ratio of fatty acids were identified among plant species and within individual lipid fractions.

Botanists specifically studied glycolipids, phospholipids, and neutral lipids, which serve different functions in the plant and vary in their fatty acid composition. An important indicator of a plant's adaptive capabilities is the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids. For instance, a high content of the latter promotes increased mobility and "fluidity" of biological membranes, which is crucial for survival in cold climates.

The researchers found that the fatty acid composition of lipid fractions is directly related to the level of activity of the plant species, determined by both ecological amplitude and community activity. Species with high activity are characterized by high levels of unsaturated and dienoic fatty acids, which contributes to their widespread distribution in Arctic tundras. In contrast, rare and less widespread species have a higher content of saturated fatty acids, which helps maintain the stability of biological membrane systems.

Moreover, the lipids of these plants show a significant presence of long-chain fatty acids, which act as stabilizers of biological membranes in extremely cold weather. Species adapted to a wide range of habitats, such as polar willow and alpine saxifrage, possess a considerable amount of trienoic fatty acids, enhancing their photosynthetic apparatus and cold resistance.

Thus, by studying the chemical composition of Arctic plants, one can find the key to understanding how unique survival strategies of species in the Arctic are formed.