Where in the cell would you expect to find phospholipids? - ProProfs Discuss
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Where in the cell would you expect to find phospholipids?

Where in the cell would you expect to find phospholipids?<br/>

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Asked by Helell, Last updated: Jan 01, 2025

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Anika Nicole

Anika Nicole

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Anika Nicole
Anika Nicole, Wordsmith, PG In Journalism, New York

Answered Mar 04, 2021

The correct answer is the cell membrane.
The cell membrane is the part of a cell that contains phospholipids. It is a semipermeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm of a cell. Also, the phospholipid is an organic compound. Lipids such as lecithin or cephalic consist of a diglyceride combined with a phosphate group and a simple organic molecule such as choline.

The cell membrane has a phospholipid bilayer (2 layers of lipid molecules), and the phospholipid bilayer is amphipathic. It has hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads. The lipid bilayer serves as an essential barrier between the external environment and the inside of the cell. It prevents toxic substances from entering the cell. It keeps proteins, ions, and many molecules from going into areas where they are not needed.

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W. Wright

W. Wright

Let's see how far my knowledge stretches

W. Wright
W. Wright, Biology student, Biology student, Astoria

Answered Feb 18, 2021

Phospholipids are a combination of amphiphilic molecules, hydrophilic moieties, and hydrophobic fatty acid chains. They are present in all living organisms as long as their cells are surrounded by cell membranes. Phospholipids are present in cell membranes because they are the major materials in cell membranes.

They are majorly derived from fatty acids. When you check their structure, a section of their body has two hydrophobic tails and a hydrophilic head. The hydrophilic part of the head is the reason why they can absorb water when they are dispersed in water to give a shape that looks like a lamellar.

The hydrophilic end of phospholipids also contains a phosphate group. This also explains why they are often used as emulsifiers. Due to their amphiphilic characteristic, they can easily form lipid bilayers. Invariably, the part of the cell that contains phospholipids is the cell membrane. Due to their nature, they act as pathways between the cell membrane.

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T. Perez

T. Perez

T. Perez
T. Perez

Answered Feb 12, 2021

Phospholipids can be found in the cell membrane. A phospholipid is also known as a type of lipid molecule. This will come with a hydrophilic head that has a phosphate group. This will also have two hydrophobic tails with the glycerol molecule which usually come from fatty acids.

Lipids are known to be molecules that will include waxes, some vitamins, and also fats. Phospholipids are considered to be important for cell membranes because they will make sure the passage of molecules will go in and out of the cell. The cell membrane will just be in charge of allowing some molecules to pass but not all.

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G. Roland

G. Roland

G. Roland
G. Roland, Professor, Austin

Answered Feb 12, 2021

You can discover phospholipids in the plasma membrane of a bacterium separated from a glacier, and you would expect to find a dominance of phospholipids. The basic structure of a phospholipid involves a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head.

The plasma membrane is a defending barricade that envelops the inside of the cell. This structure is semi-porous and permits certain molecules in and out of the cell. It serves as a periphery by keeping the cell’s material inside and preventing them from spilling out.

Phospholipids establish the base of the plasma membrane. The phospholipid consists of glycerol plus a negatively charged phosphate group, which forms the apex and two fatty acids that do not contain a charge. The two main types of phospholipids include saturated and unsaturated.

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helell

helell

helell
Helell

Answered May 20, 2019

Cell membrane
Membrane
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