Which best describes the structure of a phospholipid?

Which best describes the structure of a phospholipid?

1: A phospholipid consists of a head and a tail. The “head” of the molecule contains the phosphate group and is hydrophilic, meaning that it will dissolve in water. The “tail” of the molecule is made up of two fatty acids, which are hydrophobic and do not dissolve in water.

What is the structure of a phospholipid quizlet?

A phospholipid consists of 1) a polar (hydrophilic) phosphate group head, 2) a glycerol molecule, and 3) 2 non-polar (hydrophobic) fatty acid tails. why do phospholipids form bilayers? The inside and outside of a cell are aqueous environments.

What is the structure of a phospholipid bilayer?

Phospholipid Bilayer. The phospholipid bilayer consists of two layers of phospholipids, with a hydrophobic, or water-hating, interior and a hydrophilic, or water-loving, exterior. The hydrophilic (polar) head group and hydrophobic tails (fatty acid chains) are depicted in the single phospholipid molecule.

What is the structure and importance of a phospholipid molecule?

Phospholipids consist of a hydrophilic (or ‘water loving’) head and a hydrophobic (or ‘water fearing’) tail. Phospholipids like to line up and arrange themselves into two parallel layers, called a phospholipid bilayer. This layer makes up your cell membranes and is critical to a cell’s ability to function.

How does the structure of phospholipids determine the structure and function of biological membranes?

Phospholipids form the basic structure of a cell membrane, called the lipid bilayer. Scattered in the lipid bilayer are cholesterol molecules, which help to keep the membrane fluid consistent. Membrane proteins are important for transporting substances across the cell membrane.

How can the structure of a phospholipid vary?

A phospholipid has a “head” made up of a glycerol molecule attached to a single , which is attached to another small molecule. Phospholipids vary in the small molecules attached to the phosphate group. The phospholipid shown in the figure has a attached to phosphate.

What are the 2 parts of a phospholipid quizlet?

Phospholipids consist of a hydrophilic, or water loving head, and a hydrophobic or water fearing tail.

How does the structure of a phospholipid contribute to its function?

Phospholipid Structure Phospholipids are able to form cell membranes because the phosphate group head is hydrophilic (water-loving) while the fatty acid tails are hydrophobic (water-hating). A second layer of phospholipids also forms with heads facing the inside of the cell and tails facing away.

What is the structural formula of a phospholipid?

The structure of the most common class of phospholipids , phosphoglycerides, is based on glycerol , a three-carbon alcohol with the formula CH 2 OH–CHOH–CH 2 OH.

What are the three parts of phospholipid?

Key Takeaways Phospholipids are composed of a number of components including two fatty acids, a glycerol unit, a phosphate group, and a polar molecule. The polar region (head) in the phosphate group of a phospholipid is attracted to water. Phospholipids are a major and vital component of cell membranes.

What are the main components of phospholipids?

Phospholipids are composed of a number of components including two fatty acids, a glycerol unit, a phosphate group , and a polar molecule. Polymer -wise, phospholipids are in the lipid family.

What is the head of a phospholipid comprised of?

The phospholipid head contains a negatively charged phosphate group and glycerol; it is hydrophilic. The phospholipid tails usually consist of 2 long fatty acid chains; they are hydrophobic and avoid interactions with water.