12.. - iced

[ArchivalUser]

Which of the following structures is common to all sphingolipids?


A. Carnitine

B. Ceramide

C. Diacylglycerol

D. Sphingomyelin

E. Squalene

[ArchivalUser]

A: Ceramide

[ArchivalUser]

I wrote down the wrong letter, B

[ArchivalUser]

yes



The correct answer is B. Sphingolipids are a class of lipids that are structural components of membranes.
Ceramide is a component of sphingolipids. Ceramide is composed of sphingosine, a long-chain amino alcohol
with a saturated fatty acid linked to the amino group. Sphingolipids can be differentiated on the basis of the "X"
group that is esterified to the terminal hydroxyl group of ceramide.

Carnitine (choice A) is involved in the oxidation of fatty acids. Carnitine is important in transferring fatty acids
from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria (the carnitine shuttle).

Diacylglycerol (choice C) is the alcohol common to all phospholipids. The second alcohol (e.g., choline,
ethanolamine, serine) contributes the polar head that distinguishes the different classes of phospholipids. Like
sphingolipids, phospholipids are found in membranes.

Sphingomyelin (choice D) is a sphingolipid with phosphocholine as its "X" group. It is a component of the myelin
sheath.

Squalene (choice E) is a 30-carbon intermediate in the synthesis of cholesterol.