What are membrane lipids?
membrane lipids are an integral part of active transport across the membrane, many types of enzymatic activity and membrane formation. Lipids are a group of compounds that include fats and oils and are insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol. In other words, lipids do not dissolve in water, which is clearly shown when you add oil to the water - mix but remain separate. There are many different types of lipids, but the main classes of membrane lipids are phospholipids, glycolipids, sphinolipids and cholesterol. The hydrophilic area of the molecule is polar, so it is attracted to water. The hydrophobic area is not polar and will not dissolve in water. It is a distinct characteristic of lipids that causes the structure of living membranes. When the membrane is formed, the membrane lipids are organized in the double -layer. The two -layers consist of two leaves of membrane lipids down the hydrophilic heads point to and hydrophobic tails in the middle of the diaphragm double -layer.
All membranes in living organisms, both around BSober, so in them, are mostly formed by lipids and proteins. Membrane lipids are the most predominant molecules in the membrane. Some proteins are scattered in the lipid layer, while others are connected to its surface.
Most membrane lipids consist of glycerol associated with three chains of fatty acids through covalent binding. The resulting molecules are called glycerides. Sphinxolipids are an exception to this rule because they are formed when sphinosin forms for covalently connecting with the chains of fatty acids instead of glycerol. Covalent binding occurs when the atoms charged with charged electron pairs.
phospholipids are the most common of membrane lipids. They are created when a phosphate group that contains phosphorus, IS associated with diglyceride and other simple organic molecule. Diglyceride consists of two glycerides molecules. In phospholipid is a head containing phosphateou polar group, so it is attracted to water. The long hydrocarbon chains of fatty acids are hydrophobic and remain in the middle of the diaphragm.
glycolipids are formed when the carbohydrate string connects to phospholipid. The carbohydrate chain is located on the outer layer of the diaphragm double -layer. In this way, a carbohydrate chain acts as a marker that allows cell recognition. Glycolipids also provide energy that is stored in a carbohydrate chain. Finally, glycolipids help stabilize the membrane and provide a place to attach to other cells or tissues.
When cholesterol is present in the membrane, it binds slightly with phospholipids on both sides. By linking to neighboring phospholipids, cholesterol stabilizes them and stabilizes the entire membrane again. With larger amounems cholesterol, the membrane becomes less fluid or can move freely and mechanically stronger. The amount of cholesterol found in membranes varies due to cell type. The plants do not containNo cholesterol, so rely on the cell wall for the stability of your cells.
Finally, the sphinolipids are mostly found in the outer layer of the two -layer. There is a very uneven distribution of this type of lipid in the double -layer. Sphinxolipids form lipid rafts that are important in cell signaling and recognition. Cholesterol is sometimes located next to or near the sphinolipids to stabilize the cell membrane around them.