Multilayers of Phospholipid Bimolecular Leaflets

PHOSPHOLIPIDS, either in the form of a bimolecular leaflet 1,2 or in micellar arrangement 3,4 , are, on current theories, the basis of membrane structure. Studies of the polymorphism of phospholipids may therefore lead to further understanding of membrane structure and function. Most membranes contain a variety of unsaturated phospholipids 1,2 , but saturated phospholipids predominate in some 2,5 —for example, dipalmitoyl lecithin is the principal component of lung membrane 6,7 . The present study concerns bimolecular leaflets of dipalmitoyl lecithin.