Membrane components within a lipid bilayer are held together primarily by:

• A. Hydrogen bonds.
• B. Covalent bonds.
• C. Disulfide bonds.
• D. Hydrophobic interactions.
• E. Electrostatic interactions.
• F. All of the above.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of a lipid bilayer: It consists of two layers of lipid molecules with hydrophilic (water-attracting) heads facing outward and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails facing inward.
2. Recognize the nature of interactions within the lipid bilayer: The hydrophobic tails of the lipid molecules avoid water and tend to cluster together, which stabilizes the bilayer structure.
3. Identify the types of bonds and interactions: Hydrogen bonds, covalent bonds, disulfide bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic interactions are different types of chemical interactions.
4. Focus on hydrophobic interactions: These are non-covalent interactions that occur between nonpolar molecules or parts of molecules in an aqueous environment, crucial for the stability of the lipid bilayer.
5. Conclude that hydrophobic interactions are the primary force holding the lipid bilayer together, as they drive the formation of the bilayer by minimizing the exposure of hydrophobic tails to water.