PHOSPHATIDE Meaning and
Definition
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A phosphatide, also known as a phospholipid, is an essential type of organic molecule found in living organisms. It is a type of lipid, which is a class of naturally occurring molecules that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Phosphatides consist of a glycerol molecule attached to two fatty acid chains and a phosphate group. The phosphate group is further linked to an alcohol-containing molecule, such as choline, ethanolamine, serine, or inositol. This unique structure gives phosphatides their amphipathic nature, meaning they have both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-fearing) regions within the same molecule.
Phosphatides play crucial roles in biological systems as major components of cell membranes. They form a bilayer structure, with their hydrophobic fatty acid chains facing each other and their hydrophilic heads interacting with the aqueous environment both inside and outside the cell. This arrangement provides stability and integrity to the cell membrane while allowing for selective permeability, regulating the passage of molecules into and out of the cell.
In addition to their structural role, phosphatides also serve as precursors for the synthesis of important signaling molecules and are involved in various cellular processes, including cell signaling, membrane fluidity, and lipid metabolism. They are also essential for the absorption and transport of dietary fats in the form of lipoproteins.
Overall, phosphatides are fundamental molecules involved in numerous biological functions, making them crucial for the proper functioning of living organisms.
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1. A lecithin containing nitrogen and phosphorus. 2. A lecithoprotein. 3. A lipoid substance which is an ester of orthophosphoric acid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PHOSPHATIDE
- phosphatid
- -phosphatides
- posphatides
- phosphatids
- ohosphatide
- lhosphatide
- -hosphatide
- 0hosphatide
- pgosphatide
- pbosphatide
- pnosphatide
- pjosphatide
- puosphatide
- pyosphatide
- phisphatide
- phksphatide
- phlsphatide
- phpsphatide
- ph0sphatide
- ph9sphatide
Etymology of PHOSPHATIDE
The word "phosphatide" is derived from the combination of two components - "phosphat-" and "-ide".
The first component "phosphat-" comes from "phosphate", which refers to a chemical compound containing phosphorus. "Phosphate" itself is derived from the Greek word "phosphoros", meaning "light-bringing" or "bringing light". This is because phosphorus emits a faint glow in the dark.
The second component "-ide" is a suffix commonly used in chemistry to indicate a compound or element. It is derived from the Greek suffix "-ides", which denotes something derived from or belonging to.
Therefore, "phosphatide" can be understood as a compound or derivative of a phosphorus-containing substance, emphasizing its association with phosphates.
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