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Lysolecithin I did not cover this one well enough in lecture. Lysolecithin is produced from lecithin by removal of its terminal fatty acid radical by phospholipase A. Just remember that lyso means that a fatty acyl group has been removed from lecithin. This causes a dramatic change in function. Lecithin readily forms lipid bilayers, like cell membranes, but lysolecithin will destroy cell membranes. In the intestine, lysolecithin released in the bile helps to form micelles from partially digested triglycerides so that they can be attacked by digestive enzymes. All you need for this class is to remember that lyso means that a fatty acyl group has been removed |