Phospholipids have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic ends. How does this structure make the phospholipid ideally suited to the selectively permeable structure needed by the plasma membrane?

A. The hydrophobic heads create a boundary that prevents water-soluble polar molecules from crossing the membrane. B. The hydrophobic tails create a boundary that prevents water-soluble polar molecules from crossing the plasma membrane but allows lipid-soluble nonpolar molecules. C. The hydrophobic heads create a boundary that prevents lipid-soluble nonpolar molecules from crossing the membrane. D. The hydrophilic heads create a boundary that prevents water-soluble polar molecules from crossing the membrane.

Question

Olivia Floyd

Biology

20 December, 14:57

Phospholipids have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic ends. How does this structure make the phospholipid ideally suited to the selectively permeable structure needed by the plasma membrane?

A. The hydrophobic heads create a boundary that prevents water-soluble polar molecules from crossing the membrane. B. The hydrophobic tails create a boundary that prevents water-soluble polar molecules from crossing the plasma membrane but allows lipid-soluble nonpolar molecules. C. The hydrophobic heads create a boundary that prevents lipid-soluble nonpolar molecules from crossing the membrane. D. The hydrophilic heads create a boundary that prevents water-soluble polar molecules from crossing the membrane.

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Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Paola Blackburn · Answer 1

The correct answer is B) The hydrophobic tails create a boundary that prevents water-soluble polar molecules from crossing the plasma membrane but allows lipid-soluble nonpolar molecules.

Explanation:

The phospholipids tails are made of fatty acids, which makes them hydrophobic, creating a barrier of fats in the middle of two layers of hydrophilic heads. Therefore, water-soluble molecules can go through the first layer of heads, but when it reaches the middle layer it cannot go through it as it's not soluble in oils, or lipids.

Lainey Holder · Answer 2

Lainey Holder 20 December, 15:26

0

I think the answer is B