How does the water affects the hydrophilic heads and the hydrophobic tails to form a lipid bilayer cell membranes?
Biology · Middle School · Wed Jan 13 2021
Answered on
Explanation: The main component of the cell membrane is a phospholipid bi-layer or sandwich. The heads (the phospho part) are polar while the tails (the lipid part) are non-polar. The heads, which form the outer and inner linings, are "hydrophilic" (water loving) while the tails that face the interior of the cell membrane are "hydrophobic" (water fearing). Water is attracted to the outsides (red) of the membrane but is prevented from going through the non-polar interior (yellow) layer.The membranes of the cell are semi-permeable. That means that while most things are effectively kept in (or out), some can pass through directly.