IB Biology SL B2.1.1 Lipid Bilayers Question Bank
Practise IB Biology SL B2.1.1 through questions on hydrophilic heads, hydrophobic tails and how amphipathic molecules form membrane bilayers.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Biology SL
- Level
- SL
Practise IB Biology SL B2.1.1 through questions on hydrophilic heads, hydrophobic tails and how amphipathic molecules form membrane bilayers.
The diagram shows the stages of the cell cycle.

Explain the properties of phospholipids that allow bilayers to form in cell membranes.
a. phospholipids are amphipathic/have hydrophobic/nonpolar and hydrophilic/polar regions;
b. phosphate heads are hydrophilic/polar and fatty acid/hydrocarbon tails are hydrophobic/nonpolar;
c. hydrophilic/polar (phosphate) heads face/are attracted to water (inside and outside of cell);
d. hydrophobic/nonpolar (fatty acid) tails face each other inwardly/away from water/ not attracted to water;
Marking guidance:
Accept each marking point in a labelled
diagram.
3 max