phospholipid

phospholipid /phos·pho·lip·id/ (-lip´id) any lipid that contains phosphorus, including those with a glycerol backbone (phosphoglycerides and plasmalogens) or a backbone of sphingosine or a related substance (sphingomyelins). They are the major lipids in cell membranes.

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phos·pho·lip·id (fsf-lpd)

n.

Any of various phosphorous-containing lipids that are composed mainly of fatty acids, a phosphate group, and a simple organic molecule. Also called phosphatide.

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phospholipid

[fos′fōlip′id]

Etymology: Gk, phos, light, pherein, to bear, lipos fat

a phosphorus-containing lipid. Two kinds of phospholipids are phosphatides and sphingomyelins.

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phospholipid,

n a class of compounds, widely distributed in living cells, containing phosphoric acid, fatty acids, and a nitrogenous base.

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phospholipid

any lipid that contains phosphorus, including those with a glycerol backbone (phosphoglycerides and plasmalogens) or a backbone of sphingosine or a related substance (sphingomyelins). They are the major lipids in cell membranes.

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phospholipid bilayer

a layer containing two phospholipid molecules which is the basic structural unit of all biological membranes.