which component of a phospholipid is found on the exterior of a lipid bilayer? select only one answer choice.
which component of a phospholipid is found on the exterior of a lipid bilayer? select only one answer choice.
Answer: The component of a phospholipid that is found on the exterior of a lipid bilayer is the phosphate-containing head group. The hydrophilic (water-loving) phosphate head faces towards the aqueous environment, either towards the extracellular fluid or towards the cytoplasm, while the hydrophobic (water-repelling) fatty acid tails face each other and form the interior of the bilayer. This arrangement allows for the formation of a stable, highly selective barrier between the inside and outside of cells.