Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

1. A Review of General Chemistry

Intro to Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

1. A Review of General Chemistry

Intro to Organic Chemistry

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with Organic Chemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Why do shorter hydrocarbon tails in phospholipids make cell membranes more fluid?

Shorter tails increase the membrane's polarity, enhancing fluidity.

Shorter tails increase the membrane's thickness, allowing more movement.

Shorter tails have fewer van der Waals interactions, reducing rigidity.

Shorter tails increase the number of hydrogen bonds, enhancing fluidity.

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of phospholipids: Phospholipids consist of a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails, typically made of hydrocarbon chains. The length of these tails can affect the properties of the cell membrane.

Explore van der Waals interactions: These are weak forces that occur between molecules due to temporary dipoles. Longer hydrocarbon tails have more surface area, leading to more van der Waals interactions, which can increase rigidity.

Consider the effect of tail length on membrane fluidity: Shorter hydrocarbon tails have less surface area for van der Waals interactions, resulting in fewer interactions and thus a more fluid membrane.

Clarify why other options are incorrect: Shorter tails do not increase polarity or thickness, nor do they increase hydrogen bonding, as these tails are nonpolar and do not participate in hydrogen bonding.

Conclude with the correct reasoning: The reduction in van der Waals interactions due to shorter hydrocarbon tails leads to decreased rigidity and increased fluidity of the cell membrane.