Membrane lipid
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
- polar head group:
- 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
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page