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Multiple Choice
Why do phospholipids spontaneously form a bilayer when mixed with water?
A
Phospholipids form a bilayer due to their ability to form covalent bonds with water molecules.
B
Phospholipids are completely hydrophilic, allowing them to dissolve entirely in water.
C
Phospholipids have hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads, causing them to arrange in a bilayer to shield the tails from water.
D
Phospholipids are completely hydrophobic, causing them to repel water and form a bilayer.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of phospholipids: Phospholipids are composed of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) 'head' and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) 'tails'.
Recognize the behavior of phospholipids in water: The hydrophilic heads are attracted to water, while the hydrophobic tails avoid water.
Consider the arrangement in an aqueous environment: To minimize the exposure of the hydrophobic tails to water, phospholipids arrange themselves in a bilayer.
Visualize the bilayer formation: In the bilayer, the hydrophilic heads face outward towards the water, and the hydrophobic tails face inward, away from the water.
Conclude the reason for bilayer formation: This arrangement is energetically favorable and stabilizes the structure, allowing the phospholipids to spontaneously form a bilayer in water.