What fatty compound makes up cell membranes?
A. Proteins
B. Carbohydrates
C. Glucose
D. Lipids
D. Lipids
The correct answer is D. Lipids. Lipids are a diverse group of molecules that include fats, oils, and cholesterol. They are a major component of cell membranes and help provide the structure and stability to the cell.
The correct answer is D. Lipids.
Cell membranes are primarily made up of a special type of lipids called phospholipids. These molecules have two parts: a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail. The hydrophilic head is composed of a phosphate group and is attracted to water, while the hydrophobic tail is made up of fatty acid chains and repels water.
Phospholipids arrange themselves in a bilayer structure, with the hydrophilic heads facing towards the watery environment both inside and outside the cell, and the hydrophobic tails sandwiched in between. This lipid bilayer provides a barrier that separates the internal contents of the cell from the external environment, allowing the cell to regulate what goes in and out.
Proteins also play a crucial role in cell membranes by serving as channels, transporters, receptors, enzymes, and structural support. Carbohydrates can be found attached to lipids or proteins on the outer surface of the cell membrane, forming glycolipids and glycoproteins, respectively. However, lipids are the primary fatty compounds that make up the cell membrane.