MORE ON PHOSPHOLIPIDS...
 
    The heads of the PHOSPHOLIPIDS are composed of glycerol and a phosphate group and like to dissolve in water.  Water is a polar molecule (it acts like it has two poles) and other molecules that are polar easily dissolve in water.  These molecules that easily dissolve in water are called water-loving (or hydrophilic) molecules.

    The tails of the PHOSPHOLIPIDS are mostly fatty acids made up of long carbon and hydrogen chains.  Carbon and hydrogen chains are not polar and do not like to dissolve in water.  Molecules that do not easily dissolve in water are called water-hating (or hydrophobic) molecules.

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This page was created by Patrick Ireland.
It was last updated January 20, 2000

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