Lipid bilayers are formed spontaneously by the cooperative assembly of amphipathic (having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts) molecules in water. This is due to the hydrophobic tails coming together to avoid contact with water and the hydrophilic heads interacting with the water molecules.

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Lipid Bilayers

Question 80

Multiple Choice

Lipid bilayers

A) form spontaneously by the cooperative assembly of amphipathic molecules in water.
B) form from phosphatidylcholine in an organic solvent such as chloroform.
C) have the thickness of one molecule of phosphoglyceride or sphingolipid.
D) are more permeable to small ions such as Na⁺ than to larger molecules such as glucose.
E) are about 2 A thick.

Correct Answer: