Question

how are the tails and heads of membrane phospholipids oriented in their environment?
multiple choice
the hydrophilic tails are oriented toward each other and the hydrophobic heads are oriented toward the extracellular fluid and the intracellular fluid.
the hydrophobic tails are oriented toward each other and the hydrophilic heads are oriented toward the extracellular fluid and the intracellular fluid.
the hydrophilic heads are oriented toward each other and the hydrophobic tails are oriented toward the extracellular fluid and the intracellular fluid.
the hydrophobic heads are oriented toward each other and the hydrophilic tails are oriented toward the extracellular fluid and the intracellular fluid.

Explanation:

Phospholipids have hydrophilic (water - loving) heads and hydrophobic (water - fearing) tails. In a cell membrane, to avoid the water - rich extracellular and intracellular fluids, the hydrophobic tails face each other, while the hydrophilic heads face the water - containing extracellular and intracellular fluids.

Answer:

The hydrophobic tails are oriented toward each other and the hydrophilic heads are oriented toward the extracellular fluid and the intracellular fluid.