Asksia AI LOGO

Sia

Question
Biology
Posted 5 months ago
Explain why phospholipids commonly form phospholipid bilayers or liposomes in aqueous environments.
Sign in to unlock the answer
Answer from Sia
Posted 5 months ago
Answer
Phospholipids commonly form bilayers or liposomes in aqueous environments due to their amphipathic nature, which drives them to organize in a way that shields their hydrophobic tails from water while exposing their hydrophilic heads to water.
Solution
a
Amphipathic nature: Phospholipids have a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails
b
Bilayer formation: In an aqueous environment, phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer with hydrophobic tails facing inward, away from water, and hydrophilic heads facing outward, towards the water
c
Liposome formation: When phospholipids are shaken in water, they can also form spherical vesicles known as liposomes, with an aqueous core enclosed by a phospholipid bilayer
Key Concept
Amphipathic nature of phospholipids
Explanation
The amphipathic nature of phospholipids leads to the formation of bilayers or liposomes in aqueous environments to minimize the energy state by keeping hydrophobic tails away from water and hydrophilic heads in contact with water.

Not the question you are looking for? Ask here!

Enter question by text

Enter question by image

Upgrade to Asksia Pro

Join a AskSia's Pro Plan, and get 24/7 AI tutoring for your reviews, assignments, quizzes and exam preps.

Unlimited chat query usages
Strong algorithms that better know you
Early access to new release features
Study Other Question