Asked by Havon
Why do phospholipids form a bilayer in water?
The phosphate portions repel each other.
The hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts attract each other.
The phosphate portions attract water, and the lipid portions repel water.
The lipid portions attract water, and the phosphate portions repel water.
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Answered by
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"The phosphate portions attract water, and the lipid portions repel water."
Explanation: Phospholipids are amphipathic: hydrophilic (phosphate-containing) heads interact with water, while hydrophobic fatty-acid tails avoid water. To minimize unfavorable water–tail contacts and lower free energy, the molecules arrange with heads facing the aqueous environment and tails sequestered inside, forming a bilayer.
Explanation: Phospholipids are amphipathic: hydrophilic (phosphate-containing) heads interact with water, while hydrophobic fatty-acid tails avoid water. To minimize unfavorable water–tail contacts and lower free energy, the molecules arrange with heads facing the aqueous environment and tails sequestered inside, forming a bilayer.
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