A phospholipid molecule is made up of fatty acids and a platform to which fatty acids are attached. A phospholipid molecule is also made up of a phosphate, and an alcohol that is attached to the phosphate.
A phospholipid bilayer consists of two layers of phospholipids. A phospholipid has a polar, hydrophilic ('water-loving') "head" end and a non-polar, hydrophobic ('water-hating') "tail".
In the bilayer the tails face each other on the inside of the bilayer, and the heads face outwards.
Well phospholipids can be called the subunits of the phospholipid bilayer.
And if we were to extend the phospholipid bilayer to a functional biological membranes then the number of subunits would be enormous. There are as I have said, phospholipids, proteins, small peptides, small molecules (like cholesterol), glycolipids, sphyngolipids and many more I'm sure.
However, if what you asked is what you meant, there are 3 'sub'-'units' that make up a phospholipid:
1) A glycerol back bone (propane-1,2,3-triol)
2) A soluble, hydrophilic (water loving) 'head group' that come in many different shapes and forms, but all retain the hydrophobic characteristic. These are bound to the third carbon of the glycerol back bone via a phosphodiester bond (which you may have seen in the adjoining of ribonucleotides in DNA).
3) long, fatty acid carbon chains that are hydrophobic (as you might be able to guess, 'water hating'). These, like the 'head groups' can vary greatly. These come in different lengths and have different levels of saturation (Saturated - rich in Hydrogen, Unsaturated - poor in Hydrogen as a result of double bonds). There are 2 fatty acid tail groups ester linked to the first and second carbon of the glycerol.
Hope this helped...
glycerol, two fatty acids, and, in place of a third fatty acid, a phosphate group bonded to one of several organic groups
A hydrophilic phosphate "head" and two hydrophobic fatty acid "tails"
Phosphate
Glycerol
Fatty Acids
A choline, phosphate group, glycerol, 1 saturated fatty acid, and 1 monounsaturated fatty acid
PROTEINS
The building blocks of all compounds are atoms.
the building blocks of substances are called what atoms or molecules?
Xwhat rock is used to my building blocks of matter and fertilizers
poo contains these 3 building blocks and so does puke
Elements are called the building blocks of matter because all matter is composed of elements.
phospholipids
Phospholipids, glycolipids and cholesterols are the building blocks of cell membranes.
He was 12 building blocks old, or 35 in dog-building blocks
the building blocks of life are cells the building blocks of matter are atoms
Atoms are the building blocks of molecules.
Cells are the building blocks of life.
Phospholipids are the prime building blocks for all known life forms and are important in cell structure because they form a double layer of protein and other substances constitutes the membrane surrounding the cell. They are also able to spontaneously assemble into the most basic life giving structure (membranes).
What are the building blocks of your bodies?The building blocks of are bodies are called cells!
The building blocks of life are cells or you may mean that amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
Phospholipids are the prime building blocks for all known life forms and are important in cell structure because they form a double layer of protein and other substances constitutes the membrane surrounding the cell. They are also able to spontaneously assemble into the most basic life giving structure (membranes).
No. The building blocks of matter are atoms, not a process.
Proteins are basic building blocks of the cells.