Phosphoglycerides are amphipathic because they contain regions that interact with water and regions that avoid water.

### Why this is right Phosphoglycerides have a polar phosphate-containing region and nonpolar fatty-acid chains. These contrasting regions make the molecule amphipathic. ### The concept Amphipathic lipids can arrange themselves at water interfaces and form the basis of biological membranes. Their polar heads face the watery environment, while their hydrophobic tails tend to avoid it. ### Terms - **Amphipathic**: having both water-interacting and water-avoiding regions. - **Phosphoglyceride**: a glycerol-based lipid containing phosphate and fatty-acid groups. ### Remember A membrane lipid needs both a water-compatible head and water-avoiding tails.