Q. Which of the following is characteristic of phospholipids of plasma membrane?
A) One non-polar head and two polar tails
B) One polar head and two non-polar tails
C) Two non-polar heads and one polar tail
D) Two polar heads and one non-polar tail
Explanation
Phospholipids are formed from the precursor called phosphatidic acid. A molecule of this acid consists of two non-polar (hydrophobic) fatty acid ‘tails’ ester-linked to $C_{1}$ and $C_{2}$ of the glycerol backbone of a hydrophilic ‘head’ and a negatively charged phosphate group linked to $C_{3}$of glycerol.
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.