1.7k views
4 votes
What does it mean if non-polar hydrophilic molecules are soluble in lipids?

a) They repel lipids
b) They attract water
c) They dissolve in lipids
d) They form membranes

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Non-polar hydrophilic molecules are soluble in lipids means that they can dissolve in the nonpolar, hydrophobic part of lipids. This is due to the amphipathic nature of phospholipids which form the bilayer structure of cell membranes, having hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails. The correct option is c.

Step-by-step explanation:

When non-polar hydrophilic molecules are soluble in lipids, it means they can dissolve in lipids. This is because lipids have a hydrophobic, or water-fearing, part which is nonpolar and can interact with other nonpolar substances.

Considering the amphipathic nature of phospholipids, with their hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, non-polar hydrophilic molecules dissolve in the hydrophobic part of lipids.

This property is essential in biological systems, such as in the formation of cell membranes where phospholipids orient their hydrophilic heads towards water and their hydrophobic tails away from water, creating a bilayer structure.The correct option is c.

User Ethan Choi
by
7.2k points