Multiple Choice
In the context of the lipid bilayer, what is the primary function of the cell (plasma) membrane?
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8. Membrane Structure
The Lipid Bilayer
Multiple Choice
In the context of the lipid bilayer, what are the two main structural parts of a phospholipid molecule?
A
A hydrophobic steroid ring structure and a hydrophilic carbohydrate chain
B
A hydrophilic amino acid head and a hydrophobic polysaccharide tail
C
Two hydrophilic glycerol heads and a single hydrophobic tail
D
A hydrophilic (polar) phosphate-containing head and two hydrophobic (nonpolar) fatty acid tails
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that a phospholipid molecule is a key component of the lipid bilayer in cell membranes.
Recognize that phospholipids have two main structural parts: a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails.
The hydrophilic head contains a phosphate group, which is polar and interacts well with water.
The hydrophobic tails are made up of two fatty acid chains, which are nonpolar and avoid water.
Together, these parts allow phospholipids to form bilayers, with heads facing outward toward water and tails facing inward away from water, creating the membrane structure.
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