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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Lipids01:32

Membrane Lipids

Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
Membrane Lipids01:32

Membrane Lipids

Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, which...
What are Lipids?01:38

What are Lipids?

Overview
What are Lipids?01:31

What are Lipids?

Lipids function as structural components of cellular membranes, in addition to acting as energy reservoirs and signaling molecules. They are thus crucial to all living organisms.  The three biologically important classes of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.
Non-Polar and Hydrophobic Characteristics of Lipids
Lipids are a structurally and functionally diverse group of hydrocarbons—compounds consisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds...
What are Lipids?01:31

What are Lipids?

Lipids function as structural components of cellular membranes, in addition to acting as energy reservoirs and signaling molecules. They are thus crucial to all living organisms.  The three biologically important classes of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.
Non-Polar and Hydrophobic Characteristics of Lipids
Lipids are a structurally and functionally diverse group of hydrocarbons—compounds consisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds...

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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Profiling the Triacylglyceride Contents in Bat Integumentary Lipids by Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
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Profiling the Triacylglyceride Contents in Bat Integumentary Lipids by Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Published on: September 5, 2013

Epidermal lipids.

H J Yardley1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science
|May 22, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Epidermal cells undergo significant lipid changes during differentiation, increasing their lipid content sixfold. This transformation involves a shift from phospholipids to ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, crucial for skin barrier function.

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Profiling the Triacylglyceride Contents in Bat Integumentary Lipids by Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Epidermal cells undergo a complex differentiation process known as cornification.
  • Lipids play a critical role in the structure and function of the skin barrier.
  • Understanding lipid dynamics during epidermal differentiation is key to skin health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the qualitative and quantitative changes in epidermal cell lipids during differentiation.
  • To identify the specific lipid classes that change during cornification.
  • To elucidate the role of these lipid changes in skin barrier formation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of lipid composition in epidermal cells at different stages of differentiation (basal vs. desquamated).
  • Quantification of total lipid content per cell.
  • Identification of major and minor lipid classes including phospholipids, cholesterol, fatty acids, ceramides, and glycolipids.

Main Results:

  • Basal cells are rich in phospholipids, while desquamated cells are primarily composed of ceramides, cholesterol, and non-esterified fatty acids.
  • Total lipid content increases approximately sixfold from basal to desquamated cells.
  • De novo synthesis of cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, and ceramides is a major driver of lipid changes during cornification.

Conclusions:

  • Epidermal differentiation involves dramatic quantitative and qualitative lipid alterations.
  • Ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids are essential for the stratum corneum's barrier function and integrity.
  • Lipid synthesis is a critical process for establishing a functional skin barrier.