Question

Explain how phospholipids organize themselves into a bilayer in an aqueous environment worksheet answer key

Answer 1

Phospholipids are amphipathic. Meaning they have a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic molecule.  The hydrophilic end is composed of a glycerol molecule attached to a phosphate molecule. The hydrophobic end is composed of hydrocarbon chains.

When put in an aqueous solution or in water, the phospholipids form a bilipid layer. This is formed  when the hydrophobic tails are sandwiched between the hydrophilic heads. The hydrophilic head of a phospholipid molecule  is ‘water-loving’ because it is charged (negatively charged) hence interact with the polar molecules of water. The hydrophobic tails are unchanged hence don’t interact with polar molecules and are ‘water-hating’.