Question

When mixed with water, phospholipids spontaneously form membranes because they ______.

Answer 1

Question Options:

A) have hydrophilic phosphate groups that are attracted to water and hydrophobic fatty acid tails that avoid water

B) have hydrophilic fatty acid tails that are attracted to water and hydrophobic phosphate groups that avoid water

C) have hydrophilic heads that are attracted to their hydrophobic tails

D) are both fluid and mosaic

Answer: have hydrophilic phosphate groups that are attracted to water and hydrophobic fatty acid tails that avoid water.

A phospholipid can be defined as any of a group of organic compounds including the fats, oils, waxes, sterols, and triglycerides such as lecithin or cephalin, consisting of a diglyceride combined with a phosphate group and a simple organic molecule such as choline or ethanolamine.

They contain groups that are water loving thereby making them soluble in water and also groups that are unable to absorb water . This characteristic make them form a membrane when in water.