About Phospholipid:
Cells are surrounded by a very important type of lipid called phospholipid. Phospholipid consists of hydrophilic (water loving) head and hydrophobic ( water fearing) tail. Phospholipid like to line up and arrange themselves into two parallel layers called phospholipid bilayer.
Importance of phospholipid:
Forms bilayer which provides barrier around the cell and only let in certain molecules like carbondioxide and oxygen necessary for cellular respiration.
During digestive process phospholipid form clusters to help move vitamins, nutrients and fat containing molecules through the body.
They can be used as signal transducer between cells.
They split to form product called second messenger, that can signal for leukocyte to migrate to the site of infection.
Phospholipid that is both structural and functional is sphingomyelin, forms the insulation that protect your nerves and facilitates the conduction of nerve impulses.
Phospholipid in stomach helps in breaking down the fat.
Phospholipid in bile help emulsify fats so they can be carried in blood.