Question

1. a cell’s membrane consists, in large part, of a molecule called a “phospholipid.” does a phospholipid “love” or “fear” water? briefly explain your answer.

Explanation:

Phospholipids have a hydrophilic (water - loving) head and hydrophobic (water - fearing) tails. The head contains a phosphate group which is polar and can interact with water molecules through hydrogen bonding. The fatty - acid tails are non - polar and repel water. In a cell membrane, phospholipids arrange themselves in a bilayer with the heads facing the watery environments inside and outside the cell and the tails facing each other in the interior of the bilayer away from water.

Answer:

A phospholipid both loves and fears water. Its head is hydrophilic and loves water, while its tails are hydrophobic and fear water.