Question

The specialized functions of different membranes are largely determined by the proteins they contain. Membrane lipids are _______ molecules, composed of a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion.

1) amphipathic
2) hydrophobic
3) phosphatidylserine
4) cholesterol
5) lipid bilayer
6) phospholipids
7) fatty acid tails
8) lipid monolayer proteins
9) glycolipids
10) lipids
11) sterols
12) hydrophilic head groups
13) phosphatidylcholine
14) sugars

Answer 1

Phospholipids in a membrane form a lipid bilayer, with hydrophilic heads facing the aqueous environments and hydrophobic tails facing inward. This arrangement creates a barrier that helps regulate the movement of molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

A phospholipid is an amphipathic molecule, meaning it has a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic part. The "head" is composed of the hydrophilic phosphate group, and the “tail” contains the hydrophobic fatty acids. In a membrane, a lipid bilayer of phospholipids forms, with the hydrophilic heads facing the aqueous environment and the hydrophobic tails facing inward, creating a barrier.