Q. 15.44 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Identify the following glycerophospholipid, which helps conduct nerve impulses in the body, as a lecithin or cephalin, and list its components:

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The given structure is a lecithin but it has choline attached to the phosphate group, which is connected to the glycerol. One palmitic acid $(16:0)$ and one stearic acid $(18:0)$ are connected to the glycerol.

Step1: Introduction.

Cephalins are phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylserines that are phospoacylglycerols. It is made up of two fatty acid chains as well as an amino alcohol that is linked to a phosphate group.

Phosphatidylcholines are classified into two types based on the sort of fatty acids linked to the glycerol in the phosphatidylcholine structure.

Step2: Given Information.

List the components of the following glycerophospholipid, which aids in the transmission of nerve impulses in the body.

Step3: Explanation.

The given structure is a lecithin but it has choline attached to the phosphate group, which is connected to the glycerol. One palmitic acid $(16:0)$ and one stearic acid $(18:0)$ are connected to the glycerol.