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Micelles are one a one lipid layer with a hydrophillic head on the outside and hydrophobic tails on the inside. Cell membranes require a phospholipid bi-layer, which is two layers with the hydrophobic tails in the center. It creates a "coating" if you will for the cell. If cells were only made of micelles it wouldn't allow for the separation of the inside contents of the cell. Micelles wouldn't work the same way, they would partially integrate with inner contents of the cell creating a huge mess!

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5mo ago

Cell membranes are composed of a phospholipid bilayer, which forms a stable barrier due to the hydrophobic tails being shielded from the surrounding water. Micelles are formed by single-layered lipid molecules in aqueous environments, where hydrophobic tails face the center and hydrophilic heads face outward. The structure of micelles is not suitable for forming the stable barrier required for cell membranes.

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Q: Why are cell membranes not made of micelles?
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