How does the structure of phospholipids relate to its function?

Answer 1

repels water

Answer 2

the cell membrane contains a bilayer of phospholipids. phospholipids have two parts, a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. in the bilayer of the cell membrane the hydrophobic tails are arranged facing each other away from the aqueous medium and the hydrophilic heads face towards the aqueous medium.

Answer 3

By the definition of phospholipid, there is a phosphate (PO43-) functional group attached the opposite side as the two fatty acids. This side turns outward on the membrane forming a phospholipid bilayer. This lipid bilayer keeps ions, proteins, and other various molecules (esp. water, phosphate is hydrophilic whereas the fatty acids are hydrophobic) where they are needed.

Answer 4

The phospholipid has a strongly polar group, the phosphate group which is hydrophilic (likes water) and a lipid or fatty acid part that is hydrophobic (dislikes water), but attracted to other lipids and fatty acids with what is called hydrogen bonds which are common between carbon-hydrogen chains.

This becomes a major constituent of the "lipid bilayer" of the cell walls, with the two layers of the phospholipids arraigned tail to tail. It allows the cells to maintain an aqueous solution inside and outside of the cells (around the polar phosphates), and keep the stuff inside from readily leaking out as most stuff dissolved in water won't cross the lipid layer.

Mammalian cells also maintain a salt gradient with more Sodium (Na+) outside of the cells and more Potassium (K+) inside of the cells. The salt ions are dissolved in the aqueous solutions inside and outside of the cells, but they are blocked from passing through the lipid bilayer.

Answer 5

Phospholipids are the main component of the cell membrane. They form a phospholipid bilayer - with their polar heads facing out, and their non-polar tails in the middle.

Answer 6

THEY dont like water that much