Question

Why do phospholipids tend to spontaneously orient themselves into something resembling a membrane?

Short answer

The hydrophobic nature of the tail of the phospholipids is less stable where it doesn’t mix with water, the head of phospholipids is made up of phosphate. Thus it orients itself into something other than water to resemble a membrane.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Introduction

The non-polar, as well as hydrophobic regions, must be arranged in a line with one other to have a less quantity of potential energy and as a result, it has higher stability.

Step 2. Explanation

The phospholipids contain a tail that is made up of fatty acids and it is not mixed with water, but the head of phospholipids made up of phosphate can mix with water.

Hence phospholipid's head has an orientation to water and tail towards other lipids.