Final answer:
The false statement is D, which claims phospholipids are generally water-soluble and detergents are insoluble. Both phospholipids and detergents are amphipathic, meaning they can interact with water and are not completely soluble or insoluble.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about phospholipids and detergents that is NOT true is D. Phospholipids are generally water-soluble, whereas detergents are insoluble in water. Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules, meaning they have both hydrophobic (water-fearing) and hydrophilic (water-loving) regions. Their structure allows them to form bilayers in aqueous environments, which is crucial for the formation of cell membranes. Detergents, on the other hand, are also amphipathic but typically have a single hydrophobic tail.
This difference in structure allows them to form micelles, which are spherical aggregates with the hydrophobic tails shielded from water by the hydrophilic heads. Both phospholipids and detergents can interact with water due to their hydrophilic heads; however, it's the hydrophobic tails of phospholipids that drive the formation of bilayers, while the single tail of detergents drives the formation of micelles.