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Chapter 31: Question 31.8 (page 1240)

Why are phospholipids, but not triacylglycerols, found in cell membranes?

Short Answer

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Answer

Cell membranes comprise of lipid bilayers created by phospholipids, so they are found in cell membranes. Triacylglycerols comprises only of nonpolar tails(hydrophobic hydrocarbon part), so they are not found in cell membranes.

Step by step solution

01

Phospholipids

Phospholipids constitute of hydrolysable lipids that possess a phosphorus atom. The different classes of phospholipids include phosphoacylglycerols and sphingomyelins.

The plant and animal cell membranes comprises of these phospholipids.

02

Triacylglycerols

When subjected to hydrolysis, triacylglycerols constitute triesters that generate glycerol and three fatty acid molecules. Some common fatty acids found in triacylglycerols include lauric acid and stearic acid.

03

Reasons why phospholipids are found in cell membranes

Phospholipids comprises of a polar(ionic) head and two nonpolar tails. These regions exhibit different attractive forces.

This permits phospholipids to create a bilayer with a central hydrophobic region that functions as a boundary to agents intersecting the cell membrane. The phospholipids comprises of an ionic head that links with the aqueous environment inside and outside the cell.

Triacylglycerols comprises of three polar, uncharged ester groups. These groups are not polar when compared to phospholipids. Triacylglycerols do not constitute an ionic head with nonpolar tails. Hence, they do not form a bilayer.

These are nonpolar C-C and C-H bonds. Therefore, they get repelled from the aqueous medium, leading them to become water-insoluble.

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