We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Diet

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Cell Membrane Phospholipids?

By C.B. Fox
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 16,686
Share

There are a number of types of cell membrane phospholipids. Most of them are made out of modified glycerol lipids and phosphate, though there are some that are constructed from sphingo molecules. Cell membrane phospholipids are an important component of cell biology.

The most common cell membrane phospholipids are lecithin and cephalin. To form a lecithin molecule, an ammonium salt of choline is joined to a phosphate and its two lipid tails. These molecules can be extracted from soybeans to be used as an emulsifier, aiding in the mixing of various oils with water. Cephalin cell membrane phospholipids are found in nerve cells and blood platelets. They are important in the formation of blood clots.

Phosphatiadates are common cell membrane phospholipids that have three roles. These molecules attract cytosolic proteins, which deliver instructions to cells. Another of its roles is to shape the cell membrane. Phosphatiadates also help in the synthesis of various lipids, and it is possible for one of these molecules to perform more than one of these roles at once.

Sphingomyelin is the most abundant type of sphinosine-based phospholipid found in animal cells. About 10% of cell membrane phospholipids in the brain are made from this molecule. In addition to its role in building cell membranes, sphingomyelin acts as a messenger because it is easily able to attract and distribute cholesterol. Sphingomyelin is also central to the sphingomyelin cycle, which creates a number of different molecules involved in cellular construction and communication, including sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate.

Sphingosine is a molecule that can be attached to a phospholipid. When combined, the resulting molecule is known as sphingosine-1-phosphate which is a cellular messenger. One of the primary roles of this messenger molecule is to instruct a cell to divide into two sister cells. This molecule, though essential to normal cellular function, has been linked to cancer because it instructs all cells to divide, including cancer cells.

Most cell membrane phospholipids are comprised of a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails made of fatty acids. Lipids, which are normally comprised of three strings of fatty acids, are modified into phospholipids when one of these fatty acids is replaced with a phosphate group. The phosphate group forms the head and the two remaining fatty acids, the tails. Cell membrane phospholipids are arranged in two rows with the heads facing outward and the tails towards each other.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-cell-membrane-phospholipids.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.