The infrared spectra of 1-monopalmitin- or 1-monostearin-water systems in the gel phase were observed at room temperature. In both systems the infrared intensities of the bands parallel and perpendicular to the paraffin chain are relatively reduced and enhanced, respectively, on going from the crystalline phase to the gel phase. These spectral changes are explained in terms of the interaction among oscillating dipoles, which is sensitive to the morphology change from the three-dimensional crystalline phase to the two-dimensional lipid bilayers. The non-planar lipid bilayers are proposed for the gel phase in monopalmitin-water systems with x > or = 35 (x: wt.% water).