Types of Phospholipids

There are numerous Phospholipids present which are structurally different from each other and perform different functions;

1. Phosphatidylcholine: It is one of the major composition of Phospholipid cell membrane and its consist of choline as a head group.
2. Phosphosphotidylethanolamine: It is a typical Phospholipid that is present in cell membranes and contains a polar head that is an ethanolamine group.
3. Phosphatidylserine: This Phospholipid consists of serine as a polar head and aid in blood clotting and cell signalling.
4. Phosphatidylinositol: It consists of inositol as a polar head group and act as a precusor for second messenger in cell signalling pathway.
5. Cardiolipin: Two phosphatidic acid groups connected by glycerol make up cardiolipin, which is located in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
6. Lysophospholipids: It a Phospholipid which is composed of one fatty acid only.
7. Sphingomyelin: Eukaryotic cell membranes contain a particular kind of Phospholipid called sphingomyelin. It is frequently connected to the nerve cells’ myelin sheath and has a sphingosine backbone.

Also Read: Mitochondria

Phospholipids are the fat or lipids that are the main constituent of any cell membrane. These phospholipids comprise fatty acid molecules, one phosphate group, and one glycerol molecule. Phospholipids aid in maintaining the functional and structural integrity of cell membranes. One of the constituents of phospholipids is phosphorus which is crucial for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and DNA. A phospholipid’s structure comprises a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. In this article, we will learn about the structure, functions, and diverse types of phospholipids.