The glycerol backbone in glycerophospholipids serves as a structural base for the molecule. The hydroxyl groups of glycerol bond with fatty acid chains, which are hydrophobic, on two of its carbons. The remaining carbon forms a phosphodiester bond with a hydrophilic head group. This creates a bilayer structure that allows glycerophospholipids to form the basis of cell membranes. The glycerol backbone also determines the overall shape and properties of the molecule, which play a crucial role in their function in cellular activities.
