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

32. Lipids

Intro to Lipids

Organic Chemistry

32. Lipids

Intro to Lipids

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Multiple Choice

Why do phospholipids spontaneously form a bilayer when mixed with water?

Phospholipids have hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads, causing them to arrange in a bilayer to shield the tails from water.

Phospholipids are completely hydrophobic, causing them to repel water and form a bilayer.

Phospholipids form a bilayer due to their ability to form covalent bonds with water molecules.

Phospholipids are completely hydrophilic, allowing them to dissolve entirely in water.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of phospholipids: Phospholipids consist of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails. This amphipathic nature is crucial for their behavior in aqueous environments.

Consider the behavior of phospholipids in water: When phospholipids are mixed with water, the hydrophilic heads interact favorably with water molecules, while the hydrophobic tails avoid water, leading to a specific arrangement.

Explore the concept of a bilayer formation: To minimize the exposure of hydrophobic tails to water, phospholipids arrange themselves in a bilayer. In this structure, the hydrophilic heads face the aqueous environment on both sides, while the hydrophobic tails are shielded inside.

Analyze the driving forces: The formation of a bilayer is driven by the hydrophobic effect, where hydrophobic tails aggregate to minimize their contact with water, and the hydrophilic heads maximize their interaction with water.

Clarify misconceptions: Phospholipids do not form covalent bonds with water nor are they completely hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Their amphipathic nature is key to the spontaneous formation of a bilayer in water.