Phospholipids

They consist of two groups of compounds. These are glycerophospholipids (alcohol glycerol) and sphingomyelins (alcohol sphingosine). In phospholipids, compared to triglycerides, there is an increased hydrophilic part, which consists of a phosphate group and a certain amino alcohol, for example, choline. Due to this increased hydrophilic part, phospholipids are characterized by polarity, which is why they are also called polar lipids. Phospholipids are the main lipid components of membranes. They are abundant in nerve cells. Phospholipids make up the myelin sheath of nerve fibers and actively participate in energy metabolism.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė