BIOL130 Study Guide - Final Guide: Glut1, Acetyl-Coa, Solution

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Chapter 6 lipids, membranes & the first cells. Membrane-forming lipids have a polar, hydrophilic head that interacts with water molecules when a phospholipid is placed in solution. In addition, a non-polar, hydrophobic fatty acid tail cannot form hydrogen bonds with the hydrocarbon tail. This characteristic is called being amphipathic (ie phospholipids, cholesterol). Phospholipids do not dissolve when they are placed in water. Since they are amphipathic, they may form one of two structures: micelles or lipid bilayers. Micelles: tiny droplets created when the hydrophilic heads of phospholipids face the water and the hydrophobic tails are forced together, away from the water. Phospholipid bilayers: when two sheets of phospholipid molecules align. Micelles and bilayers form spontaneously (no energy input required, therefore exergonic). They are much more organized and energetically stable than independent molecules in solution. However they also have much lower potential energy than independent molecules. The loss of potential energy outweighs the decrease in entropy.

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