A lipid bilayer is formed by the self assembly of _________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phosphoglycerides are the main component of a lipid bilayer. They consist of a hydrophilic head (containing a phosphate group) and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails. When mixed with water, the hydrophilic heads face outwards towards the water and the hydrophobic tails face inwards towards each other, forming a bilayer. Triglycerides and alcohols do not have this structure and unsaturated and saturated fatty acids alone cannot form a bilayer.

A Lipid Bilayer Is Formed by the Self Assembly of _________