Question

(the simplified representation does not show glycerol.)
image of phospholipid structure with labels: phosphate group (head), fatty acids (tails), glycerol (backbone), and chemical structures
complete the sentence.
a phospholipid is amphipathic because its phosphate head is ▼ and ▼, while its fatty acid tails are ▼ and ▼.

Explanation:

1. The phosphate group in the phospholipid head has charged groups (like the phosphate group with a negative charge and the nitrogen - containing group with a positive charge). Polar molecules are attracted to water (hydrophilic) because water is also polar. So the phosphate head is polar and hydrophilic.
2. The fatty acid tails are made up of long hydrocarbon chains. Hydrocarbon chains are non - polar because the electronegativity of carbon and hydrogen is similar, so there is no significant charge separation. Non - polar molecules are not attracted to water and are said to be hydrophobic.

Answer:

A phospholipid is amphipathic because its phosphate head is hydrophilic and polar, while its fatty acid tails are hydrophobic and non - polar.