Question

Phospholipids are made up of :
a.) fatty acids
b.) glycerol (or) any other alcohol
c.) nitrogenous base and phosphoric acid
d.) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: A phospholipid is a class of lipids that have a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. The hydrophilic head contains a phosphate group. This phosphate group may be modified by choline or serine which is a nitrogenous base.
- The hydrophobic tail consists of fatty acids that are joined by alcohol residue. The hydrophobic tail is non-polar in nature.

Complete Solution :
First, let us see what a phospholipid is.
- A phospholipid is a class of lipids that have a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. The hydrophilic head is water loving, is polar and contains a phosphate group.
This phosphate group may be modified by choline or serine which is a nitrogenous base.
- The hydrophobic tail is water repellent and consists of fatty acids that are joined by alcohol residue. The hydrophobic tail is non-polar in nature.
- So, if we see the above statement we can say that the head part may contain a phosphate group or nitrogenous base. Thus, the option c.) is correct.
- And if we see the composition of the tail part, then it consists of fatty acids and alcohol.
So, even the option a.) and b.) are also correct.
So, all options are correct.
So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Note: The phospholipids have widespread use in industries. These days extensive research is going on the phospholipids. These are used to form liposomal, ethosomal and other oral and parenteral drugs. These act as emulsifiers and enable oils to form a colloid with water.