Question

sphingolipids exhibit unique structure or compositions compared to glycerolipids. what are the unique structures or compositions? give two examples

Answer 1

1. The fatty acids of sphingolipids are very different from those of glycerolipids, consisting of very-long-chain (up to C26) odd- and even-numbered saturated or monoenoic and related2-R-hydroxy components, while even longer fatty acids (C28 to C36) occur in spermatozoa and the epidermis.

2. A distinctive property of sphingolipids in membranes is that they spontaneously form microdomains termed 'rafts', usually in conjunction with cholesterol, where specific proteins such as enzymes and receptors congregate to carry out their signalling and other functions.