The characteristic(s)of a phospholipid is/are that they
A) are overall nonpolar.
B) have a polar charged head group and nonpolar hydrocarbon tails.
C) have a nonpolar head group and polar hydrocarbon tails.
D) are overall polar.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phospholipids have a polar charged head group, typically a phosphate group, and nonpolar hydrocarbon tails, usually consisting of two fatty acid chains. This arrangement results in a molecule that is amphipathic, meaning it has both polar and nonpolar regions. The head group is hydrophilic (water-loving), while the tails are hydrophobic (water-fearing). This property makes phospholipids ideal for forming the foundation of cell membranes, where the hydrophilic head groups interact with the aqueous environment both inside and outside the cell, and the hydrophobic tails interact with one another to form a barrier against the passage of nonpolar molecules.

The Characteristic(s)of a Phospholipid Is/are That They