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Explain the difference between a triglyceride and a phospholipid. How the replacement

Does phosphate alter the chemical properties of lipid?

User JKHA
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Difference between a triglyceride and a phospholipid

A triglyceride and a phospholipid basically differ by the number of fatty acids present in them. A triglyceride is composed of three fatty acids; whereas, a phospholipid has two fatty acids. Additionally, a phospholipid has a phosphate group that is attached to a glycerol group

Step-by-step explanation:

A phospholipid is formed when one fatty acid of the triglyceride group gets replaced by a phosphate group.

The head of a phospholipid is hydrophilic and polar; while the tail is hydrophobic and non-polar.

This property facilitates the phospholipids present in cell membranes

The hydrophilic head of the phospholipids present in the cell membranes faces outward to interact with the intra and extracellular fluid; while the hydrophobic tail faces inwards into the cell. This property helps it to provide selective permeability during cellular transport.

User MagicSeth
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