CHEM 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 27: Grey Matter, The Membranes, Sphingomyelin
12 Apr 2017
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Document Summary
Structures based on the 18-carbon monounsaturated aminodialcohol sphingosine. Contains one fatty acid and one phosphate group attached to a sphingosine molecule and an alcohol attached to the phosphate group o o. Sphingophospholipids in which the alcohol esterified to the phosphate group in choline are called sphingomyelins o. Sphingomyelins are found in all cell membranes and are important structural components of the myelin sheath of neurons. Sphingoglycolipids: contains both a fatty acid and a carbohydrate. Simple sphingoglycolipids are called cerebrosides -- contain a single monosaccharide unit (either glucose or galactose) Complex sphingoglycolipids are called gangliosides -- contain a branched chain of up to seven monosaccharide residues: occur in gray matter. Membrane lipids: cholesterol: a steroid is a lipid whose structure is based on a fused ring system of three 6 carbon rings and one 5 carbon ring o o. Important in human cell membranes, nerve tissue, and brain tissue. Important in chemical synthesis of various hormones and vitamins essential for life.
