Word parts
phospho phosphorus, phosphatelip/o fat-id a form of
What it means
A kind of lipidLIP-idA fat or fat-like substance in the body or food, such as cholesterol and triglycerides.lip/o fatFull entry with a head that is drawn to water and two fatty tails that avoid it. In water, phospholipids line up in a double layer, which forms the membrane around every cell. Surfactant, which keeps the air sacs in the lungs from collapsing, is made mostly of phospholipids. In antiphospholipid syndrome, the immune system makes antibodies against them, which raises the risk of blood clots and pregnancy loss.
At a glance
| Also written | phospholipids |
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Related terms
lipid
A fat or fat-like substance in the body or food, such as cholesterol and triglycerides.
surfactant
A fatty substance coating the inside of the lungs' air sacs that lowers surface tension so they stay open.