∞ generated and posted on 2016.08.24 ∞
Membrane-constituent consisting of two fatty acid tails and a strongly hydrophilic head, connected through various linkages to the molecule, glycerol.
Phospholipids are key constituents of the lipid bilayers of bacterial cells and eukaryotic cells. They resemble triglycerides except with one fatty acid moiety that is replaced by a phosphate-containing hydrophilic functional group.
Phospholipids inherently strive to interact with water via their hydrophilic heads while having their tails minimally interact with water. The result is the formation of fairly stable structures possessing, in aqueous solutions, hydrophobic interiors in combination with hydrophilic exteriors.