Unmyelinated and Myelinated Axons
Water-Cell Membrane Interactions
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The phospholipids in a neuron cell membrane are amphipathic, meaning they have both polar and nonpolar parts.
The 
heads are polar (or charged) and the tails are nonpolar (or neutral).
![An image showing the phospholipid of the neuron cell membrane (polar [labeled] and nonpolar) parts](https://www.getbodysmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Polar-head-Water-Cell-Membrane-Interactions-1024x764.png)
![An image showing the phospholipid of the neuron cell membrane (polar [labeled] and nonpolar) parts which are labeled](https://www.getbodysmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Nonpolar-tail-Water-Cell-Membrane-Interactions-1024x764.png)
- Surrounding the phospholipids are polar water molecules.
Want to test your knowledge of the nervous system? Check out these interactive quizzes, worksheets and diagrams.
- The phospholipid heads are hydrophilic (attracted to water molecules).
- In contrast, the phospholipid tails are hydrophobic (repelled by water molecules). The tails, instead, are attracted to each other.
- The combination of forces causes the
phospholipids to form a bilayer, where the head regions face the surrounding water molecules and the opposing tails face each other.
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