What is Hydrophobic Tail:7 Facts You Must Know!

by

Hydrophobic tails play a rudimentary role in protecting the internal components of a cell.

Hydrophobic tails are an integral part of the lipid bilayer. In this article, we will discuss “What are Hydrophobic Tail:7 Facts You Must Know!”

  • These are constituents of cell membranes.
  • These are composed of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
  • These are water-repelling in nature.
  • These are non-polar in nature.
  • These are placed towards the interior of the cell.
  • These are found in between the polar heads of a cell membrane.
  • These are a part of a phospholipid membrane.

What is a hydrophobic tail?

A hydrophobic tail is a hydrocarbon chain consisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms. It is an organic chain.

It is composed of water-fearing fatty acid chains that restrict the movement of water molecules across the cell membrane. Molecules consisting of fatty acids are known to have hydrophobic tails.

Hydrophobic tail structure

The hydrophobic tail is made up of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids are non-polar in nature.

Nonpolar hydrophobic tails and polar hydrophilic heads constitute the structure of a cell membrane. Unlike hydrophilic polar heads, nonpolar hydrophobic tails do not have an affinity toward water molecules. Apart from fatty acids, phosphor groups are an essential entity of the hydrophobic tails.

Where are the hydrophobic tails?

Hydrophobic tails are an integral part of the cell membrane.

These tails present in between two layers of hydrophilic heads are an essential feature of cell membranes. These are also present in the soap, where these tails play a key role in accumulating all the dirt and grease and thereby removing them.

Hydrophobic tail function

The hydrophobic tail situated in the cell membrane repels water thereby protecting the internal components of a cell.

The location of these tails in a cell membrane regulates the entry of water molecules into the cell. These moieties are crucial for the effective functioning of the cell membrane.

Is hydrophobic tail nonpolar?

Yes, hydrophobic tails are non-polar in nature.

Nonpolar molecules do not have an affinity toward water molecules and they are known to repel water molecules.

Why is the hydrophobic tail nonpolar?

Hydrophobic tails are nonpolar due to the presence of fatty acids in their structure.

Any biological molecule consisting of fatty acids is nonpolar in nature. Fatty acids have a tendency to repulse water molecules.

Do cell membranes have hydrophobic tails?

Cell membranes also known as plasma membranes are essential for the protection of a cell. It secures the internal organelles of a cell by providing a closed environment. A cell needs to regulate the import and export of molecules across its membrane where hydrophobic tails play their role.

Apart from hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads, a cell membrane also consists of several proteins which can be on the surface of the cell membrane; peripheral proteins or integrated into the cell membrane; integral proteins. These proteins are conjugated with different molecules such as sugar or lipid.  

hydrophobic tail
Phospholipid bilayer from Wikimedia

Peripheral proteins on the cell surface are responsible for the interaction of a cell with its external environment. The lipid bilayer of a cell membrane also provides mechanical strength to the cell.

Plasma or cell membranes of all the cells are known to have a significant proportion of lipid molecules. Several organisms also have a protective layer outside the plasma membrane which is the cell wall.

What are the hydrophobic tails made of?

Hydrophobic tails are made up of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids.

These tails are also known to have phosphate groups in the cell membrane.

Conclusion

Altogether, it can be concluded that hydrophobic chains play a significant role in the permeability of cell membranes by repelling water molecules away and preventing their entry into the cell.

Also Read: