LIPIDS I Lipids II Lipid MiniTopics Review  Elmhurst College Fatty Acids Triglycerides Bilayer Membrane  Chemistry Department Wax Phosphoglycerides Soap  Virtual ChemBook

	Phosphoglycerides or Phospholipids Introduction: Phospholipids are similar to the triglycerides with a couple of exceptions. Phospholglycerides are esters of only two fatty acids, phosphoric acid and a trifunctional alcohol - glycerol (IUPAC name is 1,2,3-propantriol). The fatty acids are attached to the glycerol at the 1 and 2 positions on glycerol through ester bonds. There may be a variety of fatty acids, both saturated and unsatured, in the phospholipids. The third oxygen on glycerol is bonded to phosphoric acid through a phosphate ester bond ( oxygen-phosphorus double bond oxygen). In addition, there is usually a complex amino alcohol also attached to the phosphate through a second phosphate ester bond. The complex amino alcohols include choline, ethanolamine, and the amino acid-serine. The properties of a phospholipid are characterized by the properties of the fatty acid chain and the phosphate/amino alcohol. The long hydrocarbon chains of the fatty acids are of course non-polar. The phosphate group has a negatively charged oxygen and a positively charged nitrogen to make this group ionic. In addition there are other oxygen of the ester groups, which make on whole end of the molecule strongly ionic and polar. Phospholipids are major components in the lipid bilayers of cell membranes. There are two common phospholipids: Lecithin contains the amino alcohol, choline. Cephalins contain the amino alcohols serine or ethanolamine.
Click for larger image	Lecithin: Lecithin is probably the most common phospholipid. It is found in egg yolks, wheat germ, and soybeans. Lecithin is extracted from soy beans for use as an emulsifying agent in foods. Lecithin is an emulsifier because it has both polar and non-polar properties, which enable it to cause the mixing of other fats and oils with water components. See more discussion on this property in soaps. Lecithin is also a major component in the lipid bilayers of cell membranes. Lecithin contains the ammonium salt of choline joined to the phosphate by an ester linkage. The nitrogen has a positive charge, just as in the ammonium ion. In choline, the nitrogen has the positive charge and has four methyl groups attached. Lecithin - Chime in new window Note: The MEP coloration of the electrostatic potential does not show a strong red color for the phosphate-amino alcohol portion of the molecule as it should to show the strong polar property of that group.
Click for larger image	Cephalins: Cephalins are phosphoglycerides that contain ehtanolamine or the amino acid serine attached to the phosphate group through phosphate ester bonds. A variety of fatty acids make up the resto f the molecule. Cephalins are found in most cell membranes, particularly in brain tissues. They also iimportant in the blood clotting process as they are found in blood platelets. Cephalin - Chime in new window Note: The MEP coloration of the electrostatic potential does not show a strong red color for the phosphate-amino alcohol portion of the molecule as it should to show the strong polar property of that group. Quiz on Molecular Geometry: Write down your answers. Then check the answers from the drop down menu. What is the molecular geometry of phosphorus iin the phosphate group? Answer Tetrahedral, four oxygens attached and no lone pairs. What is the molecular geometry of the carbon at the center of the ester group?   Answer Carbon has a double bond and two single bonds. This gives trigonal planar. What is the molecular geometry of the nitrogen (a better view is in lecithin above)?   Answer Tetrahedral, four carbons or hydrogens attached and no one pairs as in ammonia.