Question

Which of the following is the major driving force for formation of membrane lipid bilayer?

• A. Van der Waal force
• B. Electrostatic Forces
• C. Hydrophobic interactions
• D. Hydrogen bonding

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Hydrophobic interactions

Plasma membrane is made up of phospholipid bilayer structure which consists hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail with embedded proteins. When a suspension of phospholipids is mechanically dispersed in aqueous solution, the phospholipids aggregates. The hydrophobic effect causes the fatty acyl chains to aggregate together to form tightly packed stabilized structure and excludes water molecules from the core. The stabilization of membrane structure is occupied by the hydrophobic effect and Van der Waals forces between them.

So, the correct answer is option C.