GLYCEROLIPIDS

 

The 3 carbon + 3 oxygen glycerol molecule forms the backbone of all glycerolipids (hydrogens not given).

 

 

 

When one oxygen is replaced by a phosphate group, this becomes a glycerophospholipid.

 

  

Fatty acids are the simplest lipids, made from a hdyrophobic carbon chain and a carboxylate group. The carbon chain can saturated or unsaturated (one or more double bonds).

 

 

Typical phospholipids are diacylglycerides and are built from the glycerol backbone and two fatty acids.

If only one fatty acid chain is present, it becomes a monoacylglyceride. Phospholipids with one fatty acid chain are also known as lysophospholipids.

If three fatty acid chains are found (and no phosphate), this is a triacylglcyeride or triglcyeride.

Standard phospholipids have substituted phosphate groups, creating headgroups with well defined properties (acid, alkaline, neutral, hydrophilic,..).