Glycerophospholipids are the most abundant polar lipids in most membranes, sometimes called phosphoglycerides. All glycerophospholipids are derivatives of phosphatidic acid and are named for their polar head groups (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, for example).

The figure below shows the general structure of the glycerophospholipids. Glycerol is in blue and in green it is shown a saturated fatty acid (palmitic, for example). In red, an unsaturated fatty acid is represented (oleic, for example). The X in black represents the polar head.

Glycerophospholipid

All glycerophospholipids have a negative charge on the phosphate group at pH 7.0. The head-group alcohol may also contribute one or more charges at pH near 7.0. By having different polar characteristics in the same molecule, they are amphipathic compounds, which when in touch with water form stable structures called micelles.

Another degree of organization of these molecules are the one seen in mono and bilayer, as in biological membranes.