Question

Amphipathic molecules, such as fatty acid, have the following properties

a. they have distinct hydrophilic and distinct hydrophobic regions.
b. they have two distinct hydrophilic regions
c. they have distinct hydrophobic regions
d. they are neither polar nor non-polar
e. they are macromolecules

Answer 1

Amphipathic molecules have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, enabling them to form cellular membranes. Phospholipids are a key example, with a hydrophilic phosphate 'head' and hydrophobic fatty acid 'tails'. This structure allows them to create a semipermeable barrier within cell membranes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Amphipathic molecules, such as fatty acids, are characterized by having both a hydrophilic (water-attracting) and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) region. This dual characteristic allows them to be crucial components of cell membranes with their ability to form barriers that can contain a cellular environment. A classic example of an amphipathic molecule is a phospholipid.

A phospholipid consists of a glycerol backbone, a phosphate group ('head'), and two fatty acid chains ('tails'). The phosphate group, being negatively charged, is polar and, hence, hydrophilic, which allows it to interact favorably with water. In contrast, the fatty acid tails are uncharged, or nonpolar, rendering them hydrophobic, which means they tend to avoid interaction with water. This amphipathic nature is integral to the formation of cellular membranes where the hydrophilic heads face the aqueous environment and the hydrophobic tails face each other, creating a semipermeable membrane barrier.