Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine (pronunciation: fos-fa-ti-dil-ko-leen) is a class of phospholipids that incorporates choline as a headgroup. They are a major component of biological membranes and can be easily obtained from a variety of readily available sources such as egg yolk or soy beans, from which they are mechanically or chemically extracted using hexane.
Etymology
The term "Phosphatidylcholine" is derived from the Greek words phosphat, meaning "light-bringer", and idyl, meaning "related to". The choline part of the name comes from the Greek chole, meaning "bile".
Structure
Phosphatidylcholine is a major lipid in the human body, and is a vital part of the phospholipid bilayer. As such, it is important for all cellular structures and functions.
Function
Phosphatidylcholine plays a crucial role in fat metabolism, cell membrane structure and function, and liver health. It is also a precursor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Related Terms
- Lecithin: Often used interchangeably with phosphatidylcholine, but lecithin is actually a mixture of phosphatidylcholine and other compounds.
- Phospholipids: A class of lipids that phosphatidylcholines belong to.
- Choline: A water-soluble nutrient that is an essential constituent of all living cells.
- Acetylcholine: A neurotransmitter in the brain that plays an important role in muscle movement and memory formation.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Phosphatidylcholine
- Wikipedia's article - Phosphatidylcholine
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