Phospholipid: Function, Types and Properties

Phospholipids are a kind of lipid molecule and it basically consists of nitrogen, fatty acids, phosphoric acids, glycerol and also alcohol like lipids. The Phospholipids are the basic component of cell membrane. These phospholipids can form the lipid bilayers. It is also known as Phosphatides. 

Phospholipids are composed of a phosphate group head and also two fatty acids, which consist of hydrogen and carbon. The phospholipids can make the structure of cell membranes because of the chemical groups, i.e., hydrophilic and hydrophobic. The chemical groups are water loving and water hating substances. During the formation of these chemical substances, the phospholipids arrange the group where they keep heads outside of their cells and tails on the inside of cells.

Properties of Phospholipids

The properties that are required to form Phospholipids are- 

• Fatty Acid (Hydrophobic)
• Phosphate (Hydrophilic)
• Saturated Fats 
• Unsaturated Fats
• Lipid Bilayer

These are the key components to form phospholipids in the cell membranes.

Functions of Phospholipids

• The phospholipids help in keeping the cell membranes safe so that it can work properly inside the cell.
• It forms a boundary around the cell membranes to keep the inside of the cell separately and safely from the outside environment.
• In pharmaceuticals, phospholipid helps in transportation of drugs all over the body.
• It can repair the damaged liver of the human body and also prevents damage.
• It also takes part in the acts of removing cholesterol and absorption of fats from the body.
• The Cephalin, which is also a phospholipid helps in blood clothing

Types of Phospholipids

There are four major types of phospholipids. Those are mentioned below.

Glycerophospholipids

Glycerophospholipids are the major components of cell membranes. These are mainly a composition of Glycerophospholipids, fatty acids and alcohols. In the cell membranes, Glycerophospholipids act to form the cellular membranes of organelles and organisms inside the cell membranes. These types of phospholipids are insoluble in water.

Sphingophospholipids

These types of phospholipids are generally made up of ceramide, phosphoethanolamine, and phosphocholine. This phospholipid is a component of plasma membrane. Their function in the body is to save the wall of the large intestines. It helps in protecting the large intestines of those people who have inflammatory bowel disease. Chemical formula of Sphingophospholipids is- PSP₅O₁₃

Phosphatidylcholine

These types of phospholipids are made up of glycerol, fatty acids, and phosphorus and its functions are to help the brain cells in improving memory of a person and also helps the other cells of the human body to ease the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. The chemical formula of Phosphatidylcholine is – C₁₀H₁₉NO₈PR₂

Phosphatidylserine

This is a composition of two fatty acids and carbon of glycerol and serin. Its function is to protect the outer and inner cells of the human brain and also communicate between the brain cells in the human body. This lipid keeps the human brain sharp.

Things to Remember

• Phosphide is a part of CBSE class 11 first term syllabus.
• It comes under unit 3 Cell: Structure and Function, chapter 9 Biomolecules and carries a total of 5 to 7 marks. 
• Phospholipids are a lipid molecule which helps in protecting the cell membrane from the outside environment so that the cell membrane can work properly
• This phospholipid is vital for the safety of cell membranes of human body
• These phospholipids helps in synthesizing process in the human body to form the cell membranes