Textbook Question
Identify the following features of this phospholipid, which is abundant in the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells:
b. What is the fatty acid?
Ch.15 Lipids
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 Chemistry in Our Lives11
- Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements80
- Ch.3 Matter and Energy54
- Ch.4 Atoms and Elements51
- Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry42
- Ch.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds57
- Ch.7 Chemical Quantities and Reactions41
- Ch.8 Gases29
- Ch.9 Solutions51
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium65
- Ch.11 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons78
- Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones83
- Ch.13 Carbohydrates54
- Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides90
- Ch.15 Lipids61
- Ch.16 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes84
- Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis83
- Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production67
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 15, Problem 43
Identify the following glycerophospholipid, which is found in the nerves and spinal cord in the body, as a lecithin or cephalin, and list its components:
Verified step by step guidance1
Examine the structure of the glycerophospholipid in the image provided. Look for the functional groups attached to the glycerol backbone, as these will help identify whether it is a lecithin or cephalin.
Recall that lecithins (phosphatidylcholines) contain a choline group attached to the phosphate, while cephalins (phosphatidylethanolamines) contain an ethanolamine group. Identify the group attached to the phosphate in the structure.
Break down the glycerophospholipid into its components. These typically include: (1) a glycerol backbone, (2) two fatty acid chains, (3) a phosphate group, and (4) the specific group attached to the phosphate (choline or ethanolamine).
List the fatty acid chains by identifying the hydrocarbon chains attached to the glycerol backbone. Note their length and whether they are saturated or unsaturated.
Summarize the identification of the glycerophospholipid (lecithin or cephalin) and its components, including the glycerol backbone, fatty acid chains, phosphate group, and the specific group attached to the phosphate.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Glycerophospholipids
Glycerophospholipids are a class of lipids that are a major component of cell membranes. They consist of a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid tails, and a phosphate group, which can be further modified by various head groups. These lipids play crucial roles in membrane structure, signaling, and cellular interactions.
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1:09
Glycerophospholipids Example 2
Lecithin vs. Cephalin
Lecithin and cephalin are types of glycerophospholipids distinguished by their head groups. Lecithin, or phosphatidylcholine, contains choline as its head group and is abundant in egg yolk and soybeans. Cephalin, or phosphatidylethanolamine, contains ethanolamine and is primarily found in the brain and nervous tissues, playing a role in cell membrane integrity.
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Components of Glycerophospholipids
The primary components of glycerophospholipids include a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid chains, and a phosphate group. The fatty acids can vary in length and saturation, affecting the fluidity of the membrane. The phosphate group can be linked to different alcohols, such as choline or ethanolamine, which define whether the lipid is classified as lecithin or cephalin.
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1:09Glycerophospholipids Example 2
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Describe the similarities and differences between triacylglycerols and glycerophospholipids.
Textbook Question
Use condensed structural formulas to write the balanced chemical equation for the NaOH saponification of glyceryl trimyristate (trimyristin).
Textbook Question
Identify the following features of this phospholipid, which is needed for the brain and nerve tissues:
a. Is the phospholipid formed from glycerol or sphingosine?
Textbook Question
Draw the condensed structural formula for the cephalin that contains glycerol, two palmitic acids, phosphate, and ethanolamine (ionized).
Textbook Question
Draw the structure for cholesterol.