In an Aqueous Environment, How are the Phospholipids of a Membrane

Question

In an aqueous environment, how are the phospholipids of a membrane arranged?
A) in a single layer
B) in a bilayer, with the fatty acid tails located at the surface
C) in a bilayer, but the phospholipids have no specific orientation
D) in a bilayer, with the polar heads of each layer located at the surface

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids in an aqueous environment arrange themselves in a bilayer with the hydrophilic (polar) heads facing the water on both the outside and inside of the membrane, and the hydrophobic (nonpolar) fatty acid tails facing each other away from the water. This arrangement is crucial for the structure and function of cellular membranes.