Liposomes vs Micelles
Liposomes and micelles can both be used as vehicles for suspending hydrophobic molecules in hydrophilic suspensions. However, there are some core differences between the two.
Liposomes and micelles are both made of amphiphilic molecules.
Like an amphibian lives in and out of water, amphiphilic molecules have a part that is hydrophilic and a part that is hydrophobic. The hydrophilic part is soluble in water, where the hydrophobic part is not.
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When enough of these amphiphilic compounds are in a solution, the ends that are not soluble will attract each other. This forms a spherical structure.
The difference between micelles and liposomes is that while micelles are a single layered sphere, liposomes are a bilayer. If that term is familiar, it may be because human cells are surrounded by a cell membrane that is a lipid bilayer.
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Why do some amphiphilic molecules form monolayers while others form bilayers? Typically, single chain amphiphiles will form monolayers, but dual chain amphiphiles will form bilayers.
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Micelles and liposomes are both useful tools when forming an emulsion or suspending an insoluble molecule in a solution. The molecule can be held in the inside of the micelle or liposome or in the center of the bilayer for liposomes. Liposomes are especially valuable in pharmaceuticals because the similarity to cell membranes makes them very biocompatible. Liposomal encapsulation can help reduce side effects and lengthen circulation time.
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