Suppose a researcher successfully produced a membrane composed of saturated triglycerides rather than from phospholipids. What characteristics would you expect the saturated triglyceride membrane to have? A. hydrophilic molecules would easily pass through the membrane.
B. hydrophobic molecules would be attracted to the membrane.
C. the membrane would be fluid at room temperature
D. the saturated triglycerides would not form a bilayer.

B. hydrophobic molecules would be attracted to the membrane.

D. the saturated triglycerides would not form a bilayer.

Explanation:

Triglycerides are molecules composed of a higher proportion of saturated fatty acid chains where carbons are connected by single bonds. Triglycerides are hydrophobes, i.e., they are nonpolar hydrophobic molecules. In this case, it is expected that hydrophobic molecules, including triglycerides, would be attracted through hydrophobic interactions (between water and hydrophobes). Triglycerides contribute to maintain the structure of the cell membranes by forming a lipid bilayer. Unlike phospholipids, triglycerides lack a polar group (phospholipids contain charged phosphate groups), and therefore triglycerides are unable to orient themselves in order to form a bilayer.