Question

The fatty acids in the tail of a phospholipid molecule are _____. nonpolar and hydrophobic

Answer 1

Nonpolar and hydrophobic

Phospholipid molecules have a polar and hydrophillic head, which consists of glycerol and phosphate ions. In a plasma membrane, this head points towards the hydrophillic environment outside of the cell. The tails, on the other hand, are hydrophobic and nonpolar, which means they do not allow water to pass through them.<span />