Interphases of chain molecules: Monolayers and lipid bilayer membranes

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Abstract
The packing of short-chain molecules in interphases such as bilayer membranes was treated using the lattice model for a liquid. The constant density in the interphase imposes intermolecular constraints on the configurations of the flexible chains. The statistical theory presented predicts a diffuse distribution of chain ends near the bilayer midplane; no adjustable parameters are required. Inasmuch as some of the chains terminate relatively near the polar interface, the number of chains reaching deeper planar layers is diminished. Configurational freedom increases with depth. This is the source of the well-known disorder gradient.