which statement must be mentioned in explaining why amphipathic molecules line up at a water surface?
which statement must be mentioned in explaining why amphipathic molecules line up at a water surface?
Answer: The statement that must be mentioned in explaining why amphipathic molecules line up at a water surface is:
“Amphipathic molecules have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.”
This statement is crucial because it explains the behavior of amphipathic molecules at the water surface. These molecules have a dual nature, with one part being attracted to water (hydrophilic) and the other part repelling water (hydrophobic). When these molecules come into contact with water, the hydrophilic regions are attracted to water molecules, while the hydrophobic regions try to minimize their contact with water. To achieve a lower energy state, amphipathic molecules tend to align themselves at the water surface with the hydrophobic regions oriented away from the water and the hydrophilic regions interacting with water, reducing the overall free energy of the system. This phenomenon is known as the hydrophobic effect and is a fundamental principle in understanding the behavior of amphipathic molecules in aqueous environments.