phospholipid

[ fos-foh-lip-id ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a group of fatty compounds, as lecithin, composed of phosphoric esters, and occurring in living cells.

phospholipid

/ ˌfɒsfəˈlɪpɪd /

noun

1. any of a group of compounds composed of fatty acids, phosphoric acid, and a nitrogenous base: important constituents of all membranes Also calledphosphatide

phospholipid

/ fŏs′fō-lĭp′ĭd /

1. Any of various phosphorus-containing lipids, such as lecithin, that are composed mainly of fatty acids, a phosphate group, and a simple organic molecule such as glycerol. Phospholipids are the main lipids in cell membranes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phospholipid¹

First recorded in 1925–30; phospho- + lipid

Example Sentences

Their analysis involved comparing the major component composition, major and trace mineral composition, protein composition, fatty acid composition, phospholipid composition microstructural properties, color analysis, and volatile component analysis of the different whole milk powder samples.

From Science Daily

Fatty acids are the building blocks of a class of lipids called phospholipids.

From Science Daily

Egg yolks contain long molecules called phospholipids that are able to interact with both the oil layer and the water.

From Salon

These channels facilitate water transportation across cells more rapidly than diffusion through the membrane phospholipid bilayer.

From Science Daily

The phospholipid bilayer patches allow greasy antibiotics and detergents to enter the cell, and transient defects at the boundaries between the two different lipid phases allow leakage of large soluble molecules7.

From Nature