Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 8: Problem 4

What structural features do a sphingomyelin and a phosphatidyl choline have in common? How do the structures of these two types of lipids differ?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Both have a phosphate group linked to choline. Phosphatidylcholine has a glycerol backbone; sphingomyelin has a sphingosine backbone.

Step by step solution

01

- Identify Common Structural Features

First, recognize that both sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine are types of phospholipids. Both contain a glycerol or sphingosine backbone, a phosphate group, and a choline molecule in their structures.
02

- Recognize the Difference in Backbones

Phosphatidylcholine has a glycerol backbone whereas sphingomyelin has a sphingosine backbone. This is a key difference in their structures.
03

- Understand Fatty Acid Attachments

In phosphatidylcholine, two fatty acids are attached to the glycerol backbone. In sphingomyelin, only one fatty acid is attached to the sphingosine backbone, forming a ceramide.
04

- Analyze the Connection to the Phosphate Group

Both lipids have a phosphate group linked to the choline molecule. However, in phosphatidylcholine, the phosphate group is attached to the glycerol, while in sphingomyelin, it is attached to the sphingosine backbone.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

sphingomyelin
Sphingomyelin is a type of phospholipid that is essential in cell membranes, particularly in nerve cells. Unlike many other phospholipids, sphingomyelin has a sphingosine backbone instead of a glycerol backbone.
This backbone is a unique fatty alcohol, contributing to the distinct characteristics of sphingomyelin.
One of the key features of sphingomyelin is its involvement in forming lipid rafts, which are microdomains in the cell membrane that play critical roles in cell signaling and protein trafficking.
The fatty acid attached to the sphingosine backbone forms a structure known as ceramide.
  • Found abundantly in the membrane of nerve cells
  • Key player in the structure and function of cellular membranes
  • Contributes to the formation and maintenance of lipid rafts
phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine is another type of phospholipid and one of the most abundant in cell membranes.
This molecule has a glycerol backbone, to which two fatty acids and a phosphate group are attached.
The phosphate group is further linked to a choline molecule.
Phosphatidylcholine plays a critical role in maintaining membrane structural integrity and fluidity.
It also serves as a source of signaling molecules and participates in lipid metabolism.
  • Abundant in various cell membranes
  • Involved in membrane fluidity and integrity
  • Participates in cellular signaling and metabolism
lipid structures
Lipids are a broad category of biomolecules and crucial components of cell membranes.
Lipids include phospholipids, glycolipids, and cholesterol, among others.
The primary structure of most lipids includes a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and one or more hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails.
In cell membranes, lipids arrange themselves into bilayers, with the hydrophobic tails facing inward and the hydrophilic heads facing outward.
This structure forms a semi-permeable barrier, essential for cellular function and communication.
  • Crucial for cell membrane structure
  • Include various types like phospholipids and glycolipids
  • Form bilayers in cell membranes
glycerol backbone
The glycerol backbone is a fundamental component in many types of phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine.
Glycerol is a three-carbon molecule, each carbon bearing a hydroxyl (OH) group.
In phospholipids, the glycerol backbone connects to two fatty acids and a phosphate group.
The phosphate group is often linked to other molecules, such as choline in phosphatidylcholine.
This configuration helps to form the amphipathic nature (having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts) of these molecules.
  • Three-carbon molecule
  • Connects fatty acids and phosphate group
  • Contributes to amphipathic nature
sphingosine backbone
Sphingomyelins and other sphingolipids have a sphingosine backbone instead of the typical glycerol backbone.
Sphingosine is an amino alcohol with a long hydrocarbon chain, providing a base for forming complex lipids.
This backbone connects to a single fatty acid, producing a ceramide structure.
The presence of both an amine group and an alcohol group in the backbone allows varied attachment and formation of different sphingolipids.
Sphingosine also plays a role in cell signaling and various cellular functions.
  • Belongs to the amino alcohol family
  • Forms structure known as ceramide
  • Involved in cell signaling

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

In the produce department of supermarkets, vegetables and fruits (cucumbers are an example) have been coated with wax for shipping and storage. Suggest a reason why this is done.

List two classes of compounds derived from arachidonic acid. Suggest some reasons for the amount of biomedical research devoted to these compounds.

Which statements are consistent with the fluid-mosaic model of membranes? (a) All membrane proteins are bound to the interior of the membrane. (b) Both proteins and lipids undergo transverse (flip-flop) diffusion from the inside to the outside of the membrane. (c) Some proteins and lipids undergo lateral diffusion along the inner or outer surface of the membrane. (d) Carbohydrates are covalently bonded to the outside of the membrane. (e) The term mosaic refers to the arrangement of the lipids alone.

Which of the following statements is (are) consistent with what is known about membranes? (a) A membrane consists of a layer of proteins sandwiched between two layers of lipids. (b) The compositions of the inner and outer lipid layers are the same in any individual membrane. (c) Membranes contain glycolipicls and glycoproteins. (d) I ipid bilayers are an important component of membranes. (e) Covalent bonding takes place between lipids and proteins in most membranes.

Suggest a reason why the cell membranes of bacteria grown at \(20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) tend to have a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids than the membranes of bacteria of the same species grown at \(37^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). In other words, the bacteria grown at \(37^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) have a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids in their cell membranes.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Nuclear Chemistry

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free