Glycerophospholipids: Structures, Head Groups, and Net Charges

Vocabulary flashcards covering the components, head groups, and net charges at pH 7 for major glycerophospholipids.

Glycerophospholipid

A major class of membrane lipids consisting of a glycerol backbone ester-linked to two fatty acids (typically a saturated fatty acid at C-1 and an unsaturated fatty acid at C-2) and a phosphate group esterified to a variable head-group substituent ($-X$).

Phosphatidic acid

The parent glycerophospholipid that has a hydrogen atom ($-H$) as its head-group substituent and carries a net charge of $-2^*$ at pH $7$.

Phosphatidylethanolamine

A glycerophospholipid whose head group is ethanolamine ($-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_2-\text{NH}_3^+$), resulting in a net charge of $0$ at pH $7$.

Phosphatidylcholine

A glycerophospholipid whose head group is choline ($-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_2-\text{N}^+(\text{CH}_3)_3$), resulting in a net charge of $0$ at pH $7$.

Phosphatidylserine

A glycerophospholipid that features the amino acid serine as its polar head group and carries a net charge of $-1$ at pH $7$.

Phosphatidylglycerol

A glycerophospholipid that contains a glycerol molecule as its head group and possesses a net charge of $-1$ at pH $7$.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

A glycerophospholipid possessing a myo-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate polar head group, which gives it a net charge of $-4^*$ at pH $7$.

Cardiolipin

A complex glycerophospholipid consisting of a phosphatidylglycerol head group linked to another diacylglycerol phosphate moiety, bearing a net charge of $-2$ at pH $7$.