Which of the Following Statements Regarding Lipid Membranes is True

Question

Which of the following statements regarding lipid membranes is true?
A) Phospholipids will spontaneously form liposomes in nonpolar solvents.
B) A solution of pure fatty acids forms a lipid bilayer in a polar solvent.
C) Membrane lipids move laterally within their own layer.
D) Membrane lipids frequently move between one layer of the bilayer and the other.
E) The preferred form of a lipid bilayer in water is a flat sheet with exposed edges.

Accepted Answer

Membrane lipids are known to move laterally within their own layer, a process that is crucial for various cellular functions such as membrane fluidity and the formation of lipid rafts. This lateral movement is much more common than the transverse movement (flip-flop) between layers.