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The molecule that keeps hydrophilic molecules from easily crossing cell membranes is phospholipids. Cell membranes are primarily composed of a phospholipid bilayer, which has hydrophobic (water-repelling) interior regions that act as a barrier to polar and charged substances. This hydrophobic nature prevents hydrophilic molecules from freely diffusing through the membrane, requiring specific transport proteins or channels for passage.

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How can a polypeptide have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties?

Many organic molecules have an end that will dissolve in fat (this would be the hydrophobic end) and an end that will dissolve in water (this will be the hydrophilic end). As the ends are joined together by the rest of the molecule, the molecule has both properties at once and such molecules are frequently used in the formation of organic membranes.


What is the head of a surfactant molecule?

The head of a surfactant molecule is typically hydrophilic, meaning it is attracted to water. This hydrophilic head allows surfactants to dissolve in water and interact with other molecules.


What organic molecule in cell membranes that permits the diffusion of lipid-soluble materials?

Phospholipids are the organic molecules in cell membranes that permit the diffusion of lipid-soluble materials. They have a hydrophobic tail that repels water and a hydrophilic head that interacts with water, creating a bilayer structure that allows for the passage of lipid-soluble molecules.


What is non-polar trail and polar head?

Non-polar tail refers to the hydrophobic region of a phospholipid molecule, which repels water molecules. Polar head refers to the hydrophilic region of a phospholipid molecule, which is attracted to water molecules. Together, they form the phospholipid bilayer of cell membranes.


He characteristics that best describe the tail of a phospholipid molecule are .?

The most notable characteristic is amphipathicity, meaning it is hydrophilic on one end and hydrophobic on the other. This allows it to form a bilayer, of which cell membranes are made. If a molecule were to cross through the membrane, it would need to diffuse through a hydrophilic region, a hydrophobic region, and another hydrophilic region, which is difficult for most molecules. This is why the phospholipid bilayer is a good way to separate a cell from its environment.

Related Questions

How can a polypeptide have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties?

Many organic molecules have an end that will dissolve in fat (this would be the hydrophobic end) and an end that will dissolve in water (this will be the hydrophilic end). As the ends are joined together by the rest of the molecule, the molecule has both properties at once and such molecules are frequently used in the formation of organic membranes.


Is hydrophilic a property that determines whether a molecule is polar or nonpolar?

Yes, hydrophilic is a property that determines whether a molecule is polar or nonpolar. Hydrophilic molecules are polar, while hydrophobic molecules are nonpolar.


What does hydrophilic mean and how do you determine if a molecule is hydrophilic or hydrophobic?

Hydrophilic, or 'water loving' refers to molecules that are easily miscible in water. Polar molecules and ionic compounds are generally hydrophilic, and non-polar molecules are generally hydrophobic.See the Related Questions to the left for more information about how to determine if a molecule is non-polar, polar, or ionic.


If a a molecule is hydrophollic what does it attract?

If a molecule is hydrophilic, it attracts water molecules. Hydrophilic compounds are soluble in water and can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.


What is the head of a surfactant molecule?

The head of a surfactant molecule is typically hydrophilic, meaning it is attracted to water. This hydrophilic head allows surfactants to dissolve in water and interact with other molecules.


What organic molecule in cell membranes that permits the diffusion of lipid-soluble materials?

Phospholipids are the organic molecules in cell membranes that permit the diffusion of lipid-soluble materials. They have a hydrophobic tail that repels water and a hydrophilic head that interacts with water, creating a bilayer structure that allows for the passage of lipid-soluble molecules.


What is non-polar trail and polar head?

Non-polar tail refers to the hydrophobic region of a phospholipid molecule, which repels water molecules. Polar head refers to the hydrophilic region of a phospholipid molecule, which is attracted to water molecules. Together, they form the phospholipid bilayer of cell membranes.


What type of molecule is the most abundant molecule in most type of membranes?

The most abundant molecules in most biological membranes are phospholipids. These molecules have a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails, allowing them to form a bilayer structure that acts as a barrier and compartmentalizes cellular functions. This phospholipid bilayer is crucial for membrane fluidity and the functionality of membrane proteins.


He characteristics that best describe the tail of a phospholipid molecule are .?

The most notable characteristic is amphipathicity, meaning it is hydrophilic on one end and hydrophobic on the other. This allows it to form a bilayer, of which cell membranes are made. If a molecule were to cross through the membrane, it would need to diffuse through a hydrophilic region, a hydrophobic region, and another hydrophilic region, which is difficult for most molecules. This is why the phospholipid bilayer is a good way to separate a cell from its environment.


How does amphipathic molecules generate the lipid bilayer biomembranes?

Amphipathic molecules are molecules that contain a hydrophilic region (water-loving region) and a hydrophobic region (water-hating region). Therefore, phospholipids, which are amphipathic molecules that make up our cell membranes, form into bilayer bio-membranes naturally due to the hydrophobic forces of attraction between each phospholipid molecule and the water-hating nature of it forces the molecules to orientate themselves with their hydrophobic sections facing inward and their hydrophilic sections outward. I hope this helps! :)


What kind of molecule forms a bilayer that is the basis for all cellular membranes?

The molecule that forms a bilayer, serving as the foundation for all cellular membranes, is phospholipids. These molecules consist of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) "head" and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) "tails." When arranged in an aqueous environment, phospholipids spontaneously organize into a bilayer, with the hydrophilic heads facing outward towards the water and the hydrophobic tails tucked inward, creating a semi-permeable barrier essential for cellular function.


What is a type of molecule that interact with water by dissolving in water and or forming hydrogen bonds with water molecules?

hydrophilic