The phospholipid present in the cell membrane has

Options

A. hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails
B. hydrophobic head and hydrophilic tails
C. hydrophilic head and hydrophilic tails
D. hydrophobic head and hydrophobic tails

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Phospholipids**: Phospholipids are essential components of cell membranes. They consist of two main parts: a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail.

2. **Amphiphilic Nature**: The amphiphilic nature of phospholipids means they have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics. This dual nature allows them to form a lipid bilayer, which is crucial for the structure of cell membranes.

3. **Formation of Lipid Bilayer**: In an aqueous environment, phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer. The hydrophilic heads face outward towards the water, while the hydrophobic tails face inward, away from the water. This arrangement is fundamental to the cell membrane's structure and function.

4. **Additional Lipids in Eukaryotes**: Besides phospholipids, eukaryotic cell membranes also contain other lipids such as sterols, which help to stabilize the membrane structure.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the key components of phospholipids in the cell membrane are the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail. The correct answer to the question is that phospholipids have a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail.

**Final Answer**: Phospholipids present in the cell membrane have a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail.

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