Multiple Choice
Cationic detergents disrupt the cell membrane primarily by which mechanism?
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8. Membrane Structure
The Lipid Bilayer
Multiple Choice
In a cell membrane lipid bilayer, the phospholipid heads are primarily _____.
A
Hydrophobic and covalently linked to cholesterol molecules in the bilayer core
B
Hydrophilic and oriented toward the aqueous cytosol and extracellular fluid
C
Hydrophobic and oriented toward the aqueous cytosol and extracellular fluid
D
Hydrophilic and oriented toward the interior hydrophobic core of the bilayer
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the basic structure of a phospholipid molecule, which consists of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and hydrophobic (water-repelling) fatty acid tails.
Understand that in a lipid bilayer, phospholipids arrange themselves so that the hydrophobic tails face inward, away from water, forming the interior of the membrane.
Recognize that the hydrophilic heads face outward toward the aqueous environments on both sides of the membrane: the cytosol inside the cell and the extracellular fluid outside the cell.
Note that the hydrophilic heads are not covalently linked to cholesterol molecules; cholesterol is interspersed within the bilayer but interacts mainly with the hydrophobic tails.
Conclude that the correct description is that phospholipid heads are hydrophilic and oriented toward the aqueous cytosol and extracellular fluid.
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