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Multiple Choice
What is a unique property of phospholipids?
A
They are composed entirely of saturated fatty acids.
B
They have a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.
C
They are completely hydrophobic.
D
They form covalent bonds with water molecules.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Phospholipids are a class of lipids that are a major component of all cell membranes.
A unique property of phospholipids is their amphipathic nature, meaning they have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts.
The structure of a phospholipid includes a hydrophilic 'head' that contains a phosphate group, which is polar and interacts well with water.
The hydrophobic 'tails' are typically composed of long fatty acid chains, which are nonpolar and do not interact well with water.
This dual characteristic allows phospholipids to form bilayers in aqueous environments, with the hydrophilic heads facing the water and the hydrophobic tails facing inward, away from the water.