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Multiple Choice
What is the key role of phospholipids in biological systems?
A
They are involved in the synthesis of proteins.
B
They act as enzymes in metabolic reactions.
C
They serve as energy storage molecules.
D
They form the structural basis of cell membranes.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Phospholipids are a class of lipids that are a major component of all cell membranes. They can form lipid bilayers because of their amphiphilic characteristic.
Each phospholipid molecule consists of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) 'head' and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) 'tails'. This structure allows them to form a bilayer in aqueous environments.
In the bilayer, the hydrophobic tails face inward, shielded from water, while the hydrophilic heads face outward, interacting with the aqueous environment inside and outside the cell.
This arrangement forms a semi-permeable membrane that separates the cell from its environment and regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
Thus, the key role of phospholipids in biological systems is to form the structural basis of cell membranes, providing a barrier and matrix for proteins and other molecules involved in cellular processes.