Cardiolipin, found in the inner membrane of mitochondria, has a key role in mitochondrial structure and function, and is also thought to be involved in programmed cell death (apoptosis).

Plasmalogens, which comprise much of the phospholipid in mitochondria, are formed by desaturation of the analogous 3-phosphoethanolamine derivative

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) (1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine) is synthesized from the corresponding 3-phosphocholine derivative.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is formed by many blood cells and other tissues and aggregates platelets at concentrations as low as 10–11 mol/L. It also has hypotensive and ulcerogenic properties

The biosynthetic pathway of glycerol ether phospholipids is located in peroxisomes.

The CDP-choline is required in the synthesis of PAF

The CDP-ethanolamine is required in the synthesis of plasmalogens

Acetyl-CoA is required in the synthesis of PAF

Phospholipase A2 is required in the synthesis of PAF

Acetyltransferase is required in the synthesis of PAF

The desaturase enzyme is required in the synthesis of plasmalogens

Phospholipases allow degradation and remodeling of phosphoglycerols

Lysophospholipid (eg, lysolecithin) is attacked by lysophospholipase, forming the corresponding glyceryl phosphoryl base

Phospholipase A2 is found in pancreatic fluid and snake venom as well as in many types of cells

Phospholipase C is one of the major toxins secreted by bacteria

phospholipase D is known to be involved in mammalian signal transduction.

Lysolecithin (lysophosphatidylcholine) may be formed by an alternative route that involves lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT).

Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) enzyme, found in plasma is considered to be responsible for much of the cholesteryl ester in plasma lipoproteins.

The incorporation of fatty acids into lecithin can occurs by complete synthesis of the phospholipid.

The incorporation of fatty acids into lecithin can occurs by transacylation between cholesteryl ester and lysolecithin

The incorporation of fatty acids into lecithin can occurs by direct acylation of lysolecithin by acyl-CoA.