Separation and Analysis of Phospholipids by Thin Layer Chromatography

The membranes of animal cells contain a substantial amount of lipid, which may account for between 20 and 80% of the membrane mass. The predominant lipid components are phospholipids (PL) and cholesterol; with glycolipids, cholesterol esters, glycerides, and free fatty acids as minor constituents. PL perform a basic structural role in the cell membrane. They are arranged in a bilayer configuration, in which proteins are embedded, or associated peripherally. However, PL do not merely form an inert framework in membranes, they also play important functional roles in intracellular signaling, secretion, membrane transport, endocytosis, and cell fusion.