Final answer:
Peripheral membrane proteins bind to the cell membrane surface through non-covalent interactions, often utilizing a hydrophobic domain to anchor to the polar heads of phospholipids. Therefore, correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peripheral membrane proteins are unique components of the cell membrane that do not integrate fully into the lipid bilayer. Instead, peripheral proteins may noncovalently interact with the heads of phospholipids, which are polar.
This interaction is facilitated because peripheral proteins often have a hydrophobic domain that anchors them to one side of the membrane.
Unlike integral proteins that span the entire membrane and have hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains, peripheral proteins are generally bound to the membrane surface through non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and electrostatic forces.
These proteins can be attached to integral proteins or to the polar head groups of phospholipids, or to both.