phospholipids

Question 1

what do phospholipids contain that triglycerides don’t?

Answer 1

a phosphate group

Question 2

what does a phospholipid molecule consist of and how is it formed?

Answer 2

one glycerol, two fatty acids, a phosphate group, joined together in a condensation reaction

Question 3

what is the formation of a phospholipid molecule?

Answer 3

a phospholipid molecule has a polar hydrophilic head that attracts water containing the phosphate group and a non polar hydrophobic tail that repels water consisting of long fatty acid chains

Question 4

what happens when a thin layer of phospholipids is in contact with water?

Answer 4

a thin layer of phospholipids in contact with water forms a single layer as the hydrophilic heads are attracted to water whereas the hydrophobic tails are water repellent and project outwards

Question 5

how are phospholipids arranged in the cell membrane?

Answer 5

in the cell membrane a bilayer (two layers) of phospholipids is present as the hydrophobic tails are attracted to each other and away from water

Question 6

draw a diagram of phospholipids in the cell membrane

Answer 6

see notes