Question

Which of the following are properties of phospholipids

I. They have a hydrophilic phosphate head
II. they form a bilayer in water
III. They are amphipathic
IV. They have a hydrophobic fatty acid region
A. All of the above
B. II and IV only
C. I and II only
D. I, II and IV only

Answer 1

Phospholipids have a hydrophilic phosphate head, form a bilayer in water, and have a hydrophobic fatty acid region.

Step-by-step explanation:

A phospholipid is an amphipathic molecule, meaning it has a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic part. The hydrophilic phosphate head consists of the polar phosphate group and the glycerol molecule, and it interacts with water. The hydrophobic fatty acid region consists of the nonpolar fatty acid tails, which repel water.

In water, phospholipids form a bilayer in which the hydrophilic heads face the aqueous environment both inside and outside the cell, while the hydrophobic tails face each other in the middle of the bilayer.

Therefore, the correct answer is D. I, II, and IV only, as all the given properties are true for phospholipids.