The phospholipids of plasma membranes have
A) a hydrophobic head and a hydrophilic tail.
B) a hydrophobic head and a hydrophobic tail.
C) a hydrophobic head and two hydrophobic tails.
D) a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails.
E) a hydrophilic head and two hydrophilic tails.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phospholipids of plasma membranes have a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails. This is because the head of the phospholipid is composed of a phosphate group and a glycerol molecule, which are both polar and hydrophilic. The tails, on the other hand, are made up of fatty acid chains that are nonpolar and hydrophobic. This creates a bilayer structure with the hydrophilic heads pointing outwards and the hydrophobic tails pointing inwards.

The Phospholipids of Plasma Membranes Have