Abstract: The fatty acid composition and the polar lipid profiles are examined in maize (Zea mays L., cv. Alistrong) treated with 100 μM Cd. In roots, analysis of fatty acid composition reveals a general pattern of increase in the unsaturation level of most polar lipid classes, as indicated by the Double Bond Index (DBI). The results also include no alteration of total fatty acid, phospholipid (PL) and Steryl Lipid (SL) contents, but glycolipids (GL) were substantially increased. In shoots, the double bond indices of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) were decreased, whereas those obtained from MGDG, DGDG and SQDG showed an opposite response. The PG and MGDG content in shoots were markedly decreased by about 78 and 65%, respectively, indicating that the Cd toxicity caused severe damage to the structure and function of photosynthetic membranes. The increase of the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in roots indicates an oxidative stress, which can be involved in mediating compositional membrane alterations.