This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Membrane lipid

Authoring team

The plasma membrane lipid is divided into three groups arranged in a bilayer:

  • phospholipids:
    • polar head group:
      • site of phosphate residue
      • it is hydrophilic and sits on outside of bilayer
      • joined to 2 long chain fatty acids via glycerol
    • fatty acids:
    • 14-24 carbon atoms long
      • hydrophobic
      • sit on inside of membrane
    • five key types:
    • phosphatidylcholine; mainly in outer bilayer; used in arachidonic acid metabolism
      • phosphatidylinositol; used in arachidonic acid metabolism
      • sphingomyelin; mainly in outer bilayer
      • phosphatidylserine; mainly in inner bilayer
      • phosphatidylethanolamine; mainly in inner bilayer
  • cholesterol:
    • hydroxyl head sits on outside of bilayer
    • steroid core interacts with hydrophobic interior of membrane
    • increases strength and decreases fluidity of bilayer
  • glycolipids:
    • present on outside of bilayer leading to term 'cell coat'
    • also termed the glycocalyx
    • may act as immune recognition molecules and receptors for transmitters

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.