Identify the components contained in each of the following lipids.
Part A
glycerophospholipid
Check all that apply.
a. glycerol
b. fatty acid
c. phosphate
d. amino alcohol
e. steroid nucleus
f. sphingosine
Part B
sphingomyelin
Check all that apply.
a. glycerol
b. fatty acid
c. phosphate
d. amino alcohol
e. steroid nucleus
f. sphingosine
Part C
aldosterone
Check all that apply.
a. glycerol
b. fatty acid
c. phosphate
d. amino alcohol
e. steroid nucleus
f. sphingosine
Part D
linoleic acid
Check all that apply.
a. glycerol
b. fatty acid
c. phosphate
d. amino alcohol
e. steroid nucleus
f. sphingosine
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Part A: Glycerophospholipid
The components of glycerophospholipids include:
- a. Glycerol
- b. Fatty acid
- c. Phosphate
- d. Amino alcohol
Explanation:
Glycerophospholipids are a type of phospholipid consisting of a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid chains, a phosphate group, and often an amino alcohol like choline, ethanolamine, or serine. The glycerol backbone attaches to two fatty acids (forming ester bonds) and a phosphate group. The amino alcohol group is attached to the phosphate group, contributing to the phospholipid’s amphipathic nature, which makes glycerophospholipids critical components of cell membranes.
Part B: Sphingomyelin
The components of sphingomyelin include:
- b. Fatty acid
- c. Phosphate
- d. Amino alcohol
- f. Sphingosine
Explanation:
Sphingomyelin is a type of sphingolipid, which contains a sphingosine backbone instead of glycerol. It consists of a sphingosine molecule, a fatty acid, a phosphate group, and an amino alcohol (such as choline). Sphingomyelin is a major component of the myelin sheath in nerve cells and plays a crucial role in signal transmission and membrane stability.
Part C: Aldosterone
The components of aldosterone include:
- e. Steroid nucleus
Explanation:
Aldosterone is a steroid hormone, meaning it has a steroid nucleus structure. It is synthesized from cholesterol and contains a four-ring carbon structure typical of steroids. Unlike the other lipids, it does not contain glycerol, fatty acids, phosphate, amino alcohols, or sphingosine.
Part D: Linoleic acid
The components of linoleic acid include:
- b. Fatty acid
Explanation:
Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid, one of the essential fatty acids that humans cannot synthesize and must obtain from the diet. It consists of a long chain of carbon atoms, with multiple double bonds (specifically two in the case of linoleic acid), which classifies it as a polyunsaturated fatty acid. It does not contain glycerol, phosphate, amino alcohols, steroid nuclei, or sphingosine.