The Phospholipids of the Plasma Membrane are Arranged as a Bilayer

Question

The phospholipids of the plasma membrane are arranged as a bilayer because ________.
A) the phospholipids are hydrophilic
B) the phospholipid tails are hydrophilic, whereas the heads are hydrophobic
C) the phospholipids are hydrophobic
D) the phospholipid heads are hydrophilic, whereas the tails are hydrophobic

Accepted Answer

The phospholipids of the plasma membrane are arranged as a bilayer because the phospholipid heads are hydrophilic, whereas the tails are hydrophobic. This arrangement allows the hydrophilic heads to interact with the aqueous environment both inside and outside the cell, while the hydrophobic tails remain away from the water, creating a barrier that controls the movement of molecules in and out of the cell.