The Question is from neet-botany , and it was created by the author B VENKAT

Question

Which component of lecithin contributes to its amphipathic nature, allowing it to form bilayers in cell membranes?

B VENKAT · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: D. Phosphate group and fatty acid chains
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
 **Primary Concept**: Amphipathic nature of phospholipids
 **Related Topics**: Phospholipid bilayer, hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions
 **Prerequisites**: Understanding the properties of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups and their role in membrane formation.
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**:
  Lecithin is amphipathic and forms bilayers in cell membranes.
**Method & Steps**:
 1. Define amphipathic.
  Reasoning: Amphipathic molecules possess both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-fearing) regions.
 2. Identify the hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts of lecithin.
  Working: The phosphate group is hydrophilic, while the fatty acid chains are hydrophobic.
 3. Explain how these components contribute to bilayer formation.
  The hydrophilic heads interact with water, while the hydrophobic tails cluster together, away from water, resulting in a stable bilayer structure.
 3. Determine which components contribute to the amphipathic nature.
  Result: The phosphate group and fatty acid chains contribute to lecithin's amphipathic nature.
  Verification: This explanation aligns with the established understanding of phospholipid bilayer formation.
 ## OPTION ANALYSIS
A :x: The glycerol backbone alone is not sufficient to create amphipathicity.
B :x: Fatty acid chains are hydrophobic; they alone cannot create amphipathicity.
C :x: The phosphate group is hydrophilic; it alone cannot explain the amphipathic nature.
D ✓: The combination of the hydrophilic phosphate group and the hydrophobic fatty acid chains creates the amphipathic nature of lecithin, crucial for bilayer formation.
 ## LEARNING AIDS
 **Common Mistakes**:
  1.Focusing only on one component: Both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components are necessary for amphipathicity.
  2.Misunderstanding the role of hydrophobic interactions in bilayer formation: Hydrophobic interactions drive the clustering of fatty acid tails.
 **Quick Tips**:
  1.Remember that 'amphipathic' means having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.
  2.Visualize the phospholipid bilayer structure to understand how the hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts interact.

B VENKAT · Answer

Glycerol backbone only

B VENKAT · Answer

Fatty acid chains only

B VENKAT · Answer

Phosphate group only

B VENKAT · Answer

The correct Option is "Phosphate group and fatty acid chains"

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