Triglycerides and phospholipids share the following two structural characteristics:
-
Glycerol Backbone: Both triglycerides and phospholipids are built on a glycerol backbone. This three-carbon molecule acts as the foundation to which fatty acids (in triglycerides) or fatty acids and a phosphate group (in phospholipids) are attached.
-
Fatty Acid Chains: Both triglycerides and phospholipids contain fatty acid chains. In triglycerides, three fatty acid chains are esterified to the glycerol backbone, while in phospholipids, two fatty acid chains are attached to the glycerol along with a phosphate group, which can be further modified with additional groups.
These structural similarities contribute to their functions in biological systems, with triglycerides primarily serving as energy storage molecules and phospholipids forming the structural basis of cell membranes.