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The plasma membrane and other membranes of a cell are composed mostly of proteins and a type of lipid called phospholipids. A phospholipids molecule is structured with two fatty acids. The two fatty acids at one end (the tail) of the phospholipids are hydrophobic (not attracted to water). The other end (the head) of the molecule includes a phosphate group, which is negatively charged and hydrophilic (attracted to water). Thus, the tail end of a phospholipids is pushed away by water, while the head is attracted to water.

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He fatty acids in the tail of a phospholipid molecule are?

This is called the hydrophobic 'side' of the phospholipid molecule


Hydrophilic ends of proteins are oriented toward membrane surfaces. true or false?

False. Hydrophilic ends of proteins are oriented away from the membrane surfaces, as they interact with the aqueous environment outside or inside the cell. This allows them to interact with water molecules and maintain stability within the cell membrane.


Which part of the molecules will face the air when a single layer of phospholipid molecules coats the water in a beaker?

The hydrophilic (polar) head of the phospholipid molecules will face the air, while the hydrophobic (nonpolar) tails will be oriented towards each other, forming a bilayer that shields the water inside the beaker.


What makes phospholipid molecules uniquely suited to their role in membrane structure?

Phosopholipids have both a hydrophilic (water loving) and hydrophobic (water hating) region. This enables them to effectively make a barrier between the fluid inside and outside of the cell. The heads of phospholipids are hydrophilic - and so form the surfaces of the membrane, with their hydrophobic (lipid) tails facing inwards.


What type of lipid makes up the cell membranes in your body?

Each cell in the body, depending on its function will have a different type of cell membrane lipid. The most common type of cell membrane is a phospholipid. phospholipids are composed of a glycerol head (polar) which is oriented towards the cytosol and 2 fatty acid tails (non polar) which are oriented together.

Related Questions

In a plasma membrane how do the tails of the phospholipid molecules lineup?

they are sandwiched between two layers of heads


Layers that make up the cell membrane?

The cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer, which consists of two layers of phospholipid molecules oriented with their hydrophilic heads facing outward and their hydrophobic tails facing inward. Embedded within this bilayer are proteins that perform various functions such as transport, signaling, and structural support. Additionally, cholesterol molecules are interspersed within the phospholipid bilayer to help maintain its fluidity and stability.


How is a cell membrane put together?

A cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer, which consists of two layers of phospholipid molecules oriented with their hydrophobic tails facing inward and their hydrophilic heads facing outward. Various proteins, cholesterol molecules, and other components are embedded within or attached to the phospholipid bilayer, providing structural support and enabling various functions such as transport, signaling, and cell adhesion. The cell membrane is selectively permeable, allowing certain substances to pass through while restricting others.


What is the inside of a membrane bilayer?

The inside of a membrane bilayer consists of the hydrophobic tails of the phospholipid molecules, which are oriented towards each other. This hydrophobic region is impermeable to most ions and polar molecules, creating a barrier that helps maintain the structural integrity of the cell membrane. It also provides a stable environment for membrane proteins embedded within the bilayer to carry out their functions.


The hydrophobic phospholipid tails in the plasma membrane bilayer point toward?

The hydrophobic phospholipid (HPhoPL) tails in the plasma membrane bilayer points toward the other mirrored HPhoPL tailfrom the other side of bilayer. The polar sides point to the outside: the 'water'side of the cel content.


He fatty acids in the tail of a phospholipid molecule are?

This is called the hydrophobic 'side' of the phospholipid molecule


Where do the polar and nonpolar parts of a phospholipid face?

The polar head of a phospholipid faces the aqueous environment while the nonpolar tails are oriented towards the interior of the membrane to shield themselves from water. This dual arrangement allows phospholipids to form stable bilayers in cell membranes.


Hydrophilic ends of proteins are oriented toward membrane surfaces. true or false?

False. Hydrophilic ends of proteins are oriented away from the membrane surfaces, as they interact with the aqueous environment outside or inside the cell. This allows them to interact with water molecules and maintain stability within the cell membrane.


How does the structure of phospholipids linear molecules with a polar end and a nonpolar end relate to their function in the cell membrane?

The linear structure of phospholipids allows them to form a bilayer in the cell membrane due to their amphipathic nature, with the polar head facing outward towards water and the nonpolar tails facing inward. This arrangement helps create a barrier that controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell, contributing to the selective permeability of the cell membrane.


Which part of the molecules will face the air when a single layer of phospholipid molecules coats the water in a beaker?

The hydrophilic (polar) head of the phospholipid molecules will face the air, while the hydrophobic (nonpolar) tails will be oriented towards each other, forming a bilayer that shields the water inside the beaker.


What makes phospholipid molecules uniquely suited to their role in membrane structure?

Phosopholipids have both a hydrophilic (water loving) and hydrophobic (water hating) region. This enables them to effectively make a barrier between the fluid inside and outside of the cell. The heads of phospholipids are hydrophilic - and so form the surfaces of the membrane, with their hydrophobic (lipid) tails facing inwards.


Protein in the plasma membrane not so?

Proteins in the plasma membrane play essential roles in cell adhesion, signaling, and transport. They help regulate the passage of molecules in and out of the cell and serve as receptors for various signaling molecules. Overall, proteins in the plasma membrane are crucial for maintaining cell structure and function.