What type of fatty acid chains are typically found at C2 of glycerophospholipids?

In glycerophospholipids, the fatty acid chain at the C2 position is typically an unsaturated chain. This is due to the role that these fatty acids play in maintaining the fluidity and functionality of cell membranes. Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds in their carbon chains, which introduces kinks that prevent the fatty acids from packing closely together. This increased spacing allows for greater membrane fluidity, which is essential for membrane protein movement and function, as well as for the proper insertion of proteins into the lipid bilayer.

Moreover, the presence of unsaturated fatty acids at this position contributes to the overall properties of membranes, such as permeability and the ability to accommodate various cellular processes. In contrast, saturated fatty acids, which lack double bonds, tend to be straight and can pack more tightly, resulting in a more rigid membrane structure. Hence, having unsaturated chains at the C2 position is a key characteristic of glycerophospholipids, supporting their critical biological functions.