Question 2

(Essay)

Explain how the basic structure of a phospholipid bilayer is maintained in an aqueous solution, and identify a change you can make that would permanently disrupt the bilayer.

Answer

The structure of a phospholipid bilayer is maintained because the hydrophobic fatty acid side chains of the phospholipids are forced together when the hydrophilic polar head groups associate with the water molecules in the aqueous solution.