Cationic detergents disrupt the cell membrane primarily by which mechanism?

• A. They block aquaporins and ion channels, stopping osmosis and thereby mechanically tearing the membrane.
• B. They insert their hydrophobic tails into the lipid bilayer and their positively charged heads interact with negatively charged membrane components, solubilizing lipids and causing membrane leakage/lysis.
• C. They covalently cross-link phospholipid head groups, rigidifying the bilayer and preventing lateral diffusion.
• D. They specifically hydrolyze phospholipids into fatty acids and glycerol, removing the bilayer without forming micelles.

Answer: (B)