How do the structure of phospholipids contribute to their positioning in the cell plasma membrane?

The plasma membrane is organised into what is referred to as a lipid bilayer, consisting primarily of phospholipids and proteins. Phospholipids contain a hydrophobic (water hating) fatty acid 'tail' and a hydrophilic (water loving) phosphate 'head'. Due to what is described as the hydrophobic effect, it is more thermodynamically favourable for hydrophobic compounds to be prevented from accessing water, whilst the opposite can be said for hydrophilic compounds. Hence, in the cell plasma membrane, phospholipids are oriented in such a way that the phosphate heads point outwards and can make contact with water molecules, whilst the fatty acid tails point inwards and away from any cytosolic or extracellular surface of the cell.

Answered by Oluwatobi O. Biology tutor

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