phospholipid

noun
phos·​pho·​lip·​id | \ ˌfäs-fō-ˈli-pəd How to pronounce phospholipid (audio) \

Definition of phospholipid

: any of various phosphorus-containing complex lipids (such as lecithins and phosphatidylethanolamines) that are derived from glycerol and are major constituents of the membranes of cells and intracellular organelles and vesicles

Note: Phospholipids typically consist of a hydrophilic polar phosphate head and a hydrophobic tail of two fatty acids. In aqueous environments, phospholipids typically form semipermeable bilayers in which the hydrophilic heads point outward and the hydrophobic tails point inward toward each other.

First Known Use of phospholipid

1925, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for phospholipid

phospholipid

noun
phos·​pho·​lip·​id | \ -ˈlip-əd How to pronounce phospholipid (audio) \
variants: also phospholipide \ -​ˌīd How to pronounce phospholipide (audio) \

Medical Definition of phospholipid

: any of various phosphorus-containing complex lipids (such as lecithins and phosphatidylethanolamines) that are derived from glycerol and are major constituents of the membranes of cells and intracellular organelles and vesicles

Note: Phospholipids typically consist of a hydrophilic polar phosphate head and a hydrophobic tail of two fatty acids. In aqueous environments, phospholipids typically form semipermeable bilayers in which the hydrophilic heads point outward and the hydrophobic tails point inward toward each other.

called also phosphatide, phospholipin