glycerophospholipid
Quick Summary
Glycerophospholipids are a major class of phospholipids, which are essential fat-like substances found in living cells. These molecules play a crucial role in the structure and function of cell membranes.12
A key characteristic of glycerophospholipids is their amphipathic nature, meaning they have both a water-attracting (hydrophilic) head and a water-repelling (hydrophobic) tail. This property allows them to form a lipid bilayer, the fundamental structure of all cell membranes. In this bilayer, the hydrophilic heads face outward towards the watery environment, while the hydrophobic tails turn inward, creating a barrier that controls what enters and leaves the cell.1324
Common examples of glycerophospholipids include phosphatidyl choline (lecithin) and cephalins (phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine). Their synthesis involves glycerol 1-phosphate and fatty acids, forming phosphatidic acid, which is a precursor to various phospholipids.15
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
