What Is The Origin Of The Phospholipid Membrane That Envelops Many Animal Viruses?

Phospholipid Definition

A phospholipid is a type of lipid molecule that is the principal component of the cell membrane. Lipids are molecules that include fats, waxes, and some vitamins, among others. Each phospholipid is made up of 2 fat acids, a phosphate grouping, and a glycerol molecule. When many phospholipids line up, they grade a double layer that is characteristic of all cell membranes.

Phospholipid Structure

A phospholipid is made up of two fat acid tails and a phosphate group head. Fat acids are long chains that are more often than not made up of hydrogen and carbon, while phosphate groups consist of a phosphorus molecule with four oxygen molecules attached. These two components of the phospholipid are connected via a tertiary molecule, glycerol.

Phospholipids are able to form cell membranes considering the phosphate group caput is hydrophilic (water-loving) while the fatty acid tails are hydrophobic (water-antisocial). They automatically adjust themselves in a sure pattern in water considering of these properties, and form jail cell membranes. To form membranes, phospholipids line up next to each other with their heads on the outside of the cell and their tails on the inside. A 2d layer of phospholipids as well forms with heads facing the inside of the cell and tails facing abroad. In this way, a double layer is formed with phosphate group heads on the outside, and fat acid tails on the inside. This double layer, called a lipid bilayer, forms the primary function of the prison cell membrane. The nuclear envelope, a membrane surrounding a cell'due south nucleus, is besides fabricated up of phospholipids bundled in a lipid bilayer, as is the membrane of mitochondria, the part of the prison cell that produces energy.

This figure depicts the lipid bilayer and the construction of a phospholipid:

Functions of Phospholipids

As membrane components, phospholipids are selectively permeable (also called semi-permeable), meaning that merely certain molecules can pass through them to enter or exit the cell. Molecules that dissolve in fat can pass through easily, while molecules that dissolve in water cannot. Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and urea are some molecules that can pass through the prison cell membrane easily. Large molecules like glucose or ions similar sodium and potassium cannot pass through easily. This helps continue the contents of the prison cell working properly and separates the inside of the cell from the surrounding surround.

Phospholipids can be broken down in the cell and used for energy. They can also exist carve up into smaller molecules called chemokines, which regulate a multifariousness of activities in the cell such as product of sure proteins and migration of cells to different areas of the body. Additionally, they are found in areas such as the lung and in joints, where they help lubricate cells.
In pharmaceuticals, phospholipids are used every bit part of drug delivery systems, which are systems that help transport a drug throughout the body to the surface area that it is meant to affect. They take high bioavailability, meaning that they are easy for the body to absorb. Valium is an example of a medication that uses a phospholipid-based drug delivery system.

In the food industry, phospholipids can act as emulsifiers, which are substances that disperse oil aerosol in water so that the oil and water do not form separate layers. For example, egg yolks incorporate phospholipids, and are used in mayonnaise to proceed it from separating. Phospholipids are establish in loftier concentrations in many other animal and found sources, such as soybeans, sunflowers, cotton seeds, corn, and even cow brains.

• Lipid – a class of molecules that includes fats, waxes, and some vitamins, amongst other molecules.
• Hydrophilic – a molecule that "loves water"; information technology is attracted to water molecules and can usually dissolve in water.
• Hydrophobic – a molecule that "hates water"; it is not attracted to h2o, only will usually deliquesce in oils or fats.
• Lipid bilayer – a double layer of phospholipids that makes up the cell membrane and other membranes, like the nuclear envelope and the outside of mitochondria.

Quiz

ane. Which is NOT a component of a phospholipid?
A. Glycerol
B. Fatty acids
C. Deoxyribose
D. Phosphate grouping

Answer to Question #1

C is correct. Each phospholipid is fabricated upward of a phosphate group head and ii fatty acrid tails that are connected past a glycerol molecule. Deoxyribose is not part of phospholipids; information technology is the 5-carbon sugar plant in DNA.

two. Which molecule is hydrophobic?
A. Fatty acid
B. Phosphate group
C. Glucose
D. Carboxylate group

Reply to Question #2

A is correct. Fatty acids are hydrophobic; they are not attracted to h2o. They are the role of phospholipids that stays on the inside of the lipid bilayer that naturally forms when phospholipids are in a watery solution.

3. What is a function of phospholipids?
A. Beingness part of a drug commitment system in some pharmaceuticals
B. Regulating cellular activities such as prison cell migration
C. Forming the cell membrane and the membranes of other organelles in the cell
D. All of the higher up

Answer to Question #3

D is correct. Phospholipids perform all of these functions in the trunk.

Source: https://biologydictionary.net/phospholipid/

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