Final answer:
The entire phospholipid molecule is amphipathic, containing a hydrophilic head that is attracted to water and hydrophobic tails that repel water, forming the basis of cell membranes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The entire phospholipid molecule is amphipathic. This means that it has both a hydrophilic (water-loving) and a hydrophobic (water-fearing) part. The phospholipid has a polar head that is hydrophilic, which is attracted to water due to its negative charge. Conversely, it has nonpolar fatty acid tails that are hydrophobic, which repel and are repelled by water. This dual nature is crucial for the formation of cell membranes, where the hydrophilic heads face outward towards the aqueous environment, and the hydrophobic tails face inward, away from the water, forming a bilayer.