Question

(b) the membranes of both b cells and the cancer cells are largely composed of phospholipids. explain how, when the membranes are fused, the polar parts of the phospholipids from one cell will interact with the phospholipids from the other cell and how the nonpolar parts of the phospholipids from one cell will interact with the phospholipids from the other cell.
when the membranes are fused the polar parts of the phospholipids will be attracted to the nonpolar

Explanation:

Phospholipids have a polar (hydrophilic) head and non - polar (hydrophobic) tail. When membranes fuse, polar parts of phospholipids from one cell will interact with polar parts of phospholipids from the other cell through hydrogen bonding or other electrostatic interactions due to their water - loving nature. Non - polar parts will interact with non - polar parts through van der Waals forces as they avoid water and cluster together. The statement in the given text is incorrect as polar parts are attracted to polar parts and non - polar to non - polar.

Answer:

When the membranes are fused, the polar parts of the phospholipids will interact with the polar parts of the phospholipids from the other cell through hydrogen bonding or electrostatic interactions, and the non - polar parts of the phospholipids will interact with the non - polar parts of the phospholipids from the other cell through van der Waals forces.