MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -All of the lipid molecules in cell membranes are amphipathic (or amphiphilic)-that is, they have a hydrophilic (“water-loving”) or polar end and a hydrophobic (“water-fearing”) or nonpolar end. The most abundant membrane lipids are the phospholipids. These have a polar head group and two hydrophobic hydrocarbon tails.

Detailed explanation-2: -A Phospholipid Bilayer The head “loves” wate r (hydrophilic) and the tails “hate” water (hydrophobic). The water-hating tails are on the interior of the membrane, whereas the water-loving heads point outwards, toward either the cytoplasm or the fluid that surrounds the cell.

Detailed explanation-3: -The hydrophobic nature of lipids stems from the many nonpolar covalent bonds. Water, on the other hand, has polar covalent bonds and mixes well only with other polar or charged compounds. Fats and oils are high-energy molecules used by organisms to store and transfer chemical energy.

Detailed explanation-4: -A phospholipid consists of a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail. In water, phospholipids spontaneously form a double layer called a lipid bilayer, in which the hydrophobic tails of phospholipid molecules are sandwiched between two layers of hydrophilic heads.