Question

Assertion (A): Non-polar tails of saturated hydrocarbons are protected from aqueous environment.
Reason (R): Hydrophilic heads are on the outside of the membrane.
Identify the correct option from the following:

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is true, but (R) is false
• D. (A) is false, but (R) is true

Hint:

In biological membranes, the amphipathic nature of phospholipids (having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts) is key to their structural arrangement.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Analyze Assertion (A)
The non-polar tails of phospholipids (saturated hydrocarbons) are oriented away from water and protected inside the bilayer. Hence, the assertion is true. Step 2: Analyze Reason (R)
Hydrophilic heads of phospholipids face the aqueous environment on both sides of the membrane, making the reason true. Step 3: Examine the explanation relationship
The hydrophilic heads being outside ensures that the non-polar tails are shielded from water, which directly explains the assertion.