Question

In a phospholipid bilayer, the lipid molecules are sandwiched between

• A. hydrophobic heads; hydrophilic tails
• B. hydrophobic tails; hydrophilic heads
• C. hydrophilic heads; hydrophilic tails
• D. hydrophobic tails; hydrophobic heads

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

hydrophobic tails; hydrophilic heads

In the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, proposed by Singer-Nicolson in 1972, the phospholipid bilayer has integrated as well as peripheral proteins embedded in it. In this model, the lipid molecules are sandwiched between hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads.
So, the correct answer is 'hydrophobic tails; hydrophilic heads'.