The Structure and Conformation of Amphiphilic Membranes: Overview

Abstract

Amphiphilic molecules such, as lipids or surfactants have a hydrophilic (polar) ‘head’ and a hydrophobic (non-polar) ‘tail’ consisting of one or two hydrocarbon chains. In aqueous solution or in oil-water mixtures, these molecules aggregate in such a way that the tails have essentially no contact with the aqueous medium. This ‘hydrophobic effect’ which is mainly entropic in origin [1] leads to a variety of different aggregates. In many cases, the molecules form membranes, i.e., monolayers or bilayers.