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Reference.org
Phospholipid
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<p>Phospholipids are a class of <a href="/facts/Lipid/TdQR87HX">lipids</a> whose molecule has a <a href="/facts/Hydrophile/k8p95WYu">hydrophilic</a> "head" containing a <a href="/facts/Phosphate/FDGVCxUG">phosphate</a> group and two <a href="/facts/Hydrophobic/Ifya0CXQ">hydrophobic</a> "tails" derived from <a href="/facts/Fatty_acid/JGg3erIu">fatty acids</a>, joined by an <a href="/facts/Alcohol_(chemistry)/Y0SCTDkh">alcohol</a> residue (usually a <a href="/facts/Glycerol/sRQ6NBQQ">glycerol</a> molecule). Marine phospholipids typically have <a href="/facts/Omega-3_fatty_acid/X72Ynqov">omega-3 fatty acids</a> <a href="/facts/Eicosapentaenoic_acid/KR6qsu44">EPA</a> and <a href="/facts/Docosahexaenoic_acid/kwkBIrSd">DHA</a> integrated as part of the phospholipid molecule. The phosphate group can be modified with simple organic molecules such as <a href="/facts/Choline/wf9EVzfx">choline</a>, <a href="/facts/Ethanolamine/L8dIQuKf">ethanolamine</a> or <a href="/facts/Serine/4duVl30B">serine</a>. </p><p>Phospholipids are a key component of all <a href="/facts/Cell_membrane/vAXSD0DT">cell membranes</a>. They can form <a href="/facts/Lipid_bilayer/CQKQ9l3g">lipid bilayers</a> because of their <a href="/facts/Amphiphilic/FkmYh9JI">amphiphilic</a> characteristic. In <a href="/facts/Eukaryote/SkwyPLMA">eukaryotes</a>, cell membranes also contain another class of lipid, <a href="/facts/Sterol/QrVlPnWn">sterol</a>, interspersed among the phospholipids. The combination provides fluidity in two dimensions combined with mechanical strength against rupture. Purified phospholipids are produced commercially and have found applications in <a href="/facts/Nanotechnology/Co4FFNfY">nanotechnology</a> and <a href="/facts/Materials_science/N5HrXRYW">materials science</a>. </p><p>The first phospholipid identified in 1847 as such in biological tissues was <a href="/facts/Lecithin/RNfeGIJ2">lecithin</a>, or <a href="/facts/Phosphatidylcholine/WCHvJfdY">phosphatidylcholine</a>, in the egg yolk of chickens by the French chemist and pharmacist <a href="/facts/Theodore_Nicolas_Gobley/QCeUflaH">Theodore Nicolas Gobley</a>. </p>