(phospholipid, phosphatide, glycerophosphatide) Any of a group of complex lipids similar to acylglycerides except that the third hydroxyl group is phosphorylated, i.e. the backbone is glycerol 3-phosphate rather than glycerol. Common phosphoglycerides include phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol (all found primarily in seed tissues), and phosphatidylglycerol (found in leaf tissue). Phosphoglycerides are the major lipids in most plant membranes, although * glycolipids are important components of chloroplast membranes. |
