They serve as anchors for proteins within cell membranes. The example of phospholipids are Phosphatidylserine and Phosphatidylcholine, It's composed of sphingosine and alcohol. They are key components of myelin and can be found in large quantities in the brain and nervous system. It is made up of phospholipids produced from glycerol. They are the most widely used form of phospholipids found in biological membranes, also called phospholipid membranes. There are two types of phospholipids, which are listed below. Many chemicals are carried through the membrane by proteins contained in the phospholipid matrix. All cell membranes are built on a lipid bilayer, which is nearly impermeable to ions and most polar molecules. Phospholipids are important in membranes (phospholipid membrane) because of their amphipathic nature (containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups) they form a two-layer structure called the lipid bilayer, with the polar head facing out on each surface to interact with water and the neutral 'tails' driven inward and pointing toward one another. On the other hand, fatty acids are neutral they are hydrophobic and water-insoluble, but fat-soluble. One end of the molecule has a phosphate group and one alcohol this end is polar, meaning it has an electric charge and attracts water (hydrophilic). In general, phospholipids are composed of a phosphate group, two alcohols, and one or two fatty acids. The example of phospholipids are Phosphatidylserine and Phosphatidylcholine, which are the important phospholipids and found in plasma membranes, which are referred to as phospholipid membranes. Some individuals use the term phosphoglyceride to refer to a subset of phospholipids, while others use it as a synonym for phospholipid. Complex lipids include phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids, and lipoproteins, and are distinguished from simple lipids (fats and waxes) and other fat-soluble cell components, mainly isoprenoids and steroids.

A phospholipid is any member of a large class of fatlike, phosphorus-containing compounds that serve critical structural and metabolic roles in living cells.

Phospholipid structure download