Extended Data Fig. 1: Schematic representation of three different states of amphiphiles in aqueous solutions and their general relationship to pH.
From: Promotion of protocell self-assembly from mixed amphiphiles at the origin of life
Blue shading highlights hydrophilic areas whereas pink shading represents hydrophobic areas. Fully deprotonated amphiphiles will form micelles with a hydrophobic interior and hydrophilic exterior. Mixtures of protonated and deprotonated amphiphiles can self-organise into bilayer membranes forming vesicles with an aqueous interior. Fully protonated amphiphiles form hydrophobic droplets in aqueous solutions.
