IB Biology SL B1.1.12 Phospholipid Bilayers Question Bank
Practise IB Biology SL B1.1.12 through questions on hydrophilic heads, hydrophobic tails and why phospholipids form bilayers.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Biology SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- Identify polar phosphate heads and non-polar hydrocarbon tails in amphipathic phospholipids.
- Predict bilayer or surfactant orientation in water from head and tail interactions.
- Explain why phospholipids form barriers between aqueous compartments.
B1.1.12—Phospholipid bilayers 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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