Phospholipids

Question 1

Structure of a phospholipid

Answer 1

Glycerol molecule bonded to two fatty acid molecules- glycerol molecule also bonded to phosphate

Question 2

Is the phosphate positively or negatively charged

Answer 2

Negatively- means the phosphate is polar- phosphate group is hydrophilic- attracts water molecules

Question 3

Another way to represent phospholipids

Answer 3

Polar phosphate head with non-polar hydrophobic tails.

Question 4

How do phospholipid molecules position themselves in water

Answer 4

Hydrophilic head groups can interact with the water molecules while the hydrophobic tails cluster together, well away from water molecules- phospholipid bilayer

Question 5

Why are phospholipids used in membranes

Answer 5

Phospholipid bilayer