Phospholipids have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts, meaning they are

• A. Hydrophobic
• B. Hydrophilic
• C. Amphiphathic
• D. Amphipathic

Answer: (C)

Having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts is what phospholipids are. The molecule has a hydrophobic, nonpolar tail made of fatty acids and a hydrophilic, polar head group with a phosphate. This combination means it loves water in some parts and dislikes it in others, which is described by the term amphipathic. In water, these molecules arrange into structures where the heads face the water and the tails hide away from it, forming a lipid bilayer that makes up cell membranes. You’ll also see this concept referred to as amphipathic (or amphiphilic), stressing that a single molecule contains both water-attracting and water-repelling regions.