The Biology Project: Cell Biology

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Cell Membranes Problem Set

Problem 3: Hydrophobic Forces

Placing phospholipids into an aqueous solution immediately results in their forming a lipid bilayer. What is the driving force causing this ordered arrangement?

A. The phospholipids are very ordered in water, and gain freedom of movement by forming a bilayer.
B. Water, when associated with lipids, is forced into an ordered arrangement with fewer hydrogen bonds. Forcing lipids into a bilayer gains freedom of movement for the water.
C. Phospholipids have a strong affinity for other phospholipids, leading to self assembly.

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