词条 | phospholipid |
释义 | phospholipid biochemistry also called Phosphatide, ![]() In general, phospholipids are composed of a phosphate group, two alcohols, and one or two fatty acids. On one end of the molecule are the phosphate group and one alcohol; this end is polar, i.e., has an electric charge, and is attracted to water (hydrophilic). The other end, which consists of the fatty acids, is neutral; it is hydrophobic and water-insoluble but is fat-soluble. This amphipathic nature (containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups) makes phospholipids important in membranes; they form a two-layer structure, called the lipid bilayer, with the polar head facing out on each surface to interact with water, and with the neutral “tails” driven inward and pointing toward one another. The lipid bilayer is the structural basis of all cell membranes and is nearly impermeable to ions and most polar molecules. Proteins embedded in the phospholipid matrix transport many substances through the membrane. lecithin (q.v.; phosphatidyl choline) and the cephalins (phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine) are groups of phospholipids of widespread occurrence in plants and animals; lecithin is the most abundant, but is rare in microorganisms. Other phospholipids include plasmalogens, present in brain and heart and apparently of limited occurrence in nonanimal tissues; phosphoinositides, present in brain; and cardiolipin, initially isolated from heart. |
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