In 1925, scientists exploring how lipids are arranged within cell membranes performed a key experiment using red blood cells. Using benzene, they extracted the lipids from a purified sample of red blood cells. Because these cells have no nucleus and no internal membranes, any lipids they obtained were guaranteed to come from the plasma membrane alone The extracted lipids were floated on the surface of a trough filled with water, where they formed a thin film. Using a movable barrier, the researchers then pushed the lipids together until the lipids formed a continuous sheet only one molecule thick The researchers then made an observation that led them to conclude that the plasma membrane is a lipid bilayer. Which of the flowing would have allowed the scientists to come to this conclusion?
Choose one:
The extracted lipids covered half the surface area of the intact red blood cells.
The extracted lipids covered the same surface area as the intact red blood cells.
When pushed together, the extracted lipids dissolved in water.
The extracted lipids covered twice the surface area of the intact red blood cells,