Multiple Choice
In the context of the lipid bilayer, which part of a phospholipid molecule is hydrophobic?
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8. Membrane Structure
The Lipid Bilayer
Multiple Choice
In the context of the lipid bilayer, the head of a phospholipid is best described as which of the following?
A
Hydrophobic (nonpolar) and interacts favorably with fatty acid tails
B
Composed of a steroid ring structure that stabilizes membrane fluidity
C
A carbohydrate chain that projects into the extracellular space for cell recognition
D
Hydrophilic (polar) and interacts favorably with water
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the structure of a phospholipid, which consists of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) fatty acid tails.
Recognize that the hydrophilic head contains a phosphate group, making it polar and able to interact favorably with water molecules.
Recall that the hydrophobic tails are nonpolar and avoid water, instead interacting with each other inside the lipid bilayer.
Note that the head is not composed of steroid rings; steroids like cholesterol are separate molecules that help stabilize membrane fluidity but are not part of the phospholipid head.
Understand that carbohydrate chains projecting into the extracellular space are attached to proteins or lipids (glycoproteins or glycolipids), not the phospholipid head itself.
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