IB Biology SL B1.1.12 Phospholipid Bilayers Questions
Practise IB Biology SL B1.1.12 by explaining how amphipathic phospholipids orient in bilayers and alveolar surface films.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Biology SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- Identify the hydrophilic phosphate head and hydrophobic fatty-acid tails that make a phospholipid amphipathic.
- Explain how amphipathic phospholipids orient heads toward water and tails away from water to form bilayers or surface films.
- Relate phospholipid head–tail orientation to a stable membrane barrier or alveolar surface film.
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IB Biology SL B1.1.12 Phospholipid Bilayers Questions question 1
Cells in the alveolus wall produce a surfactant. Its function is to prevent alveoli collapse at the end of expiration. Surfactants are used in the treatment of respiratory system disease in premature babies.
The table shows some of the components of different surfactant preparations.
Phospholipids found in the surfactants form a surface film on the moist lining of the alveoli. Outline how the hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts of the phospholipids in the surfactants are aligned on the alveolar surface.
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