Biochemistry
Phospholipid
A type of lipid molecule with a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and hydrophobic (water-fearing) tails. The primary component of cell membranes.
Biological Context
Phospholipids spontaneously form bilayers in water—heads facing outward toward water, tails facing inward away from water. This self-organizing property is the basis of all cell membranes. The bilayer is selectively permeable, controlling what enters and exits the cell.
Business Application
Organizational boundaries have phospholipid-like properties—they selectively control what crosses them. Some things pass easily (information, standard requests), others are blocked or require special transport (major decisions, external partnerships).