Fatty acids with hydroxyl groups on their hydrophobic tails are rare in nature.
The hydrophobic tail is important in causing membrane damage, suggesting a detergent-like mode of action.
The hydrophobic tails are the layer hidden in the inside of the membrane.
Natural bilayers are usually composed of phospholipids, which have a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails each.
The hydrophilic heads are oriented "in" toward this water core, while the hydrophobic tails point "out" to the air.
The hydrophobic tail usually consists of long fatty acid hydrocarbon chains.
The detergent has a molecular structure that is has a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head.
Like soap, these polymers have a hydrophilic 'head' and a hydrophobic 'tail'.
Phospholipids can be visualized in one's mind as a hydrophilic head on one end, and a hydrophobic tail on the other.
Rubber particles are surrounded by a single phospholipid membrane with hydrophobic tails pointed inward.