Phospholipids have these distinct characteristics:

• Are made up of fatty acid chains attached to a glycerol backbone
• Are amphipathic molecules and possess both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-fearing) regions
• Have two fatty acid tails, which may be saturated with single bonds between carbon atoms, or unsaturated with one or more double bonds
• Are important constituents of a cell plasma membranes
• Help to anchor proteins within cell membranes
• Serve as signal mediators