A lipid containing phosphorus, thus including the lecithins and other phosphatidyl derivatives, sphingomyelin, and plasmalogens; the basic constituents of biomembranes.
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phos·pho·lip·id -'lip-əd also phos·pho·lip·ide -.īd n any of numerous lipids (as lecithins and phosphatidylethanolamines) in which phosphoric acid as well as a fatty acid is esterified to glycerol and which are found in all living cells and in the bilayers of cell membranes called also phosphatide, phospholipin
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n.
a lipid containing a phosphate group as part of the molecule. Phospholipids are constituents of all tissues and organs, especially the brain. They are synthesized in the liver and small intestine and are involved in many of the body's metabolic processes. Examples of phospholipids are cephalin, lecithin, plasmalogens, and phosphatidylserine.
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phos·pho·lip·id (fos″fo-lipґid) any lipid that contains phosphorus, including those with a glycerol backbone (phosphoglycerides and plasmalogens) or a backbone of sphingosine or related substance (sphingomyelins). Phospholipids are the major form of lipid in all cell membranes.Medical dictionary. 2011.