BRAINCAKEPhospholipids
Phospholipids are made from a glycerol molecule joined to two fatty acid chains and a phosphate group.
The phosphate group is polar and forms a hydrophilic head, whilst the long fatty acid chains are non-polar and form a hydrophobic tail.
When phospholipids are put in water, the hydrophobic tails orient away from the water so they either form a circular micelle or a bilayer.
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Key terms in this lesson
- micelle
- A tiny droplet formed from bile salts, monoglycerides and fatty acids, which aids the digestion and absorption of lipids.
More in Transport Across Cell Membranes
- Plasma Membrane
- Proteins
- Cholesterol
- Glycolipids
- Glycoproteins
- Fluid-mosaic Model
- Membrane Permeability
- Simple Diffusion
All 22 lessons in Transport Across Cell Membranes · All AQA AS-level Biology topics