When fatty acid molecules are placed in water, they arrange themselves in a way that allows the hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails to be shielded from the water by the hydrophilic (water-attracting) heads. This results in a spherical structure known as a micelle, with the hydrophobic tails pointing towards the center and the hydrophilic heads facing outwards towards the water.
Micelles are formed to reduce the surface area of hydrophobic molecules exposed to water. This allows for the molecules to be more stable in an aqueous environment and can aid in the transportation of hydrophobic substances through the body.
No, micelle formation is primarily observed in molecules with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, such as fatty acids, detergents, and phospholipids. These molecules are known as amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules.
The formation of micelles is influenced by factors such as the concentration of the molecules in solution, temperature, and the presence of other substances. Higher concentrations of amphiphilic molecules and warmer temperatures can promote micelle formation, while the presence of salts or other molecules can disrupt micelle formation.
Micelles are unique structures that are formed specifically by amphiphilic molecules in aqueous environments. They are different from other molecular structures, such as liposomes or bilayers, which are formed by the combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules in both aqueous and non-aqueous environments.