Phospholipid Flashcards
what are phospholipids
They are found in cell membrane, or sometimes called plasma membrane
Prevents the movement of molecules through cells
Polar and non-polar section that allows this to occur
Transporter - (polar and nonpolar molecules)
Transport out of the cell to be released (hormones,
Transport to membrane for enzyme / protein functions (channels, proton pumps etc)
Head hydrophilic
Tail hydrophobic
types of phospholipids
waxes
steroids
waxes
in plants → found on the surface of leaves (prevent water sticking to it)
Fatty acid connected to long chain alcohol (hydroxyl) with ester linkage
Repel Water (Waterproof)
High Melting Point
Resistant to degradation
steroids
Characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings
Some sterols can be hormones that have various effects on different parts of an organism
Cholesterol is a component in animal cell membranes
cholesterol
Nonessential – made by our bodies
Maintains fluidity of cell membrane
Precursor to many hormones
High levels in the blood may contribute to cardiovascular disease
Lipoproteins
Lipoproteins are clusters of proteins and lipids all tangled up together.
Carry lipids, including cholesterol, around in our blood.
two types of lipoproteins
LDL or low density lipoprotein
HDL or high density lipoprotein
LDL
low density lipoprotein cause deposition of “cholesterol” on the walls of someone’s arteries
HDL
high density lipoprotein carry “cholesterol” out of the blood system