Chapter 20: Problem 42

Research to find out more about the struc- ture of phospholipids and the properties that make them ideal for the construction of cell membranes.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Phospholipids are composed of two fatty acid chains, a glycerol backbone, and a phosphate group. Their structure confers hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, which allows them to form a bilayer in an aqueous environment, creating a stable, selectively permeable barrier that is ideal for cell membrane construction.

Step by step solution

Understanding the structure of phospholipids

Phospholipids are essential lipids found in biological membranes. They are composed of two fatty acid chains attached to a glycerol backbone and a phosphoric acid molecule. They have a unique structure where one end of the molecule (the head) is hydrophilic (attracted to water) while the other end (the fatty acid tail) is hydrophobic (repelled by water).

Describing the properties of phospholipids

Phospholipids are versatile molecules with a dual nature due to the presence of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts in the same molecule. This characteristic makes phospholipids ideal for constructing cell membranes.

Explaining how these properties make phospholipids ideal for cell membrane construction

When phospholipids are placed in an aqueous environment, they naturally form a bilayer structure. In this formation, the hydrophilic heads face the water on either side, while the hydrophobic tails cluster together, avoiding contact with the water. This organization forms a stable barrier between two aqueous compartments (inside and outside of the cell), allowing the passage of lipid-soluble molecules while blocking the passage of water-soluble substances. This selective permeability is central to maintaining the cell homeostasis.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Research to find out more about the struc- ture of phospholipids and the properties that make them ideal for the construction of cell membranes.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding the structure of phospholipids

Describing the properties of phospholipids

Explaining how these properties make phospholipids ideal for cell membrane construction

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Kinetics

Chemistry Branches

Chemical Reactions

Making Measurements

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Physical Chemistry

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.