What is the product of lysolecithin and a fatty acid during re-esterification?

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Study for the UCF Human Physiology Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and detailed explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

The product of the reaction involving lysolecithin and a fatty acid during re-esterification is a phospholipid. Lysolecithin, a type of lysolipid, is formed by the hydrolysis of lecithin, which is a phospholipid itself. When a fatty acid is added to lysolecithin in a re-esterification reaction, it can replace the missing fatty acid at the sn-2 position, resulting in the formation of a complete phospholipid structure.

Phospholipids, which consist of a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid tails, and a phosphate group, are essential components of cell membranes. They play a crucial role in maintaining membrane integrity, fluidity, and functionality. The incorporation of the fatty acid back into the structure of lysolecithin effectively restores its original properties, allowing it to participate in forming lipid bilayers that are fundamental to cellular architecture.

In contrast, triglycerides are formed from glycerol and three fatty acids and do not involve a phosphate group; cholesterol is a sterol and not produced from fatty acids in this context; and bilayer lipids generally refer to the arrangement of various lipids, including phospholipids, into a double