In: Biology
Which is more hydrophilic phospholipids or cholesterol? Give an explanation for your answer and use the structures of each to help you.
Hydrophilic molecules are water loving. It means they dissolve
more readily in water due to their polar nature. (like dissolves
like,water is polar)
Phospholipids are more hydrophilic than cholesterols because of
structural differences.
Structure of phospholipids : They are of two types Glycerophospholipids and Sphingophospholipids.
Glycerophospholipids contains a glycerol
molecule, two fatty acids, a phosphate group and alcohol.
Sphingolipids contains a sphingosine molecule, one
fatty acid, a phosphate and a choline molecule.
Structure of
Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a lipid, consisting of four
linked hydrocarbon rings, a hydrocarbon tail linked to one end of
the lipid and a hydroxyl group linked to the other end.
What makes phospholipid more polar?.
A molecule of Cholestrol contains only a Hydroxyl group for a Polar
moiety. It otherwise contains large and bulky chains and rings of
carbon and hydrogen which are highly hydrophobic.
A phospholipid molecule on the other hand contains a non polar
fatty acid head but also a highly Polar Phosphate group substituted
with Polar Choline/Alcohol molecule.These polar moieties impart a
considerable hydrophilic character to this molecule.