Membrane Lipids

Sphingoglycolipids

Cholesterol
Sphingoglycolipids
Sphingoglycolipids
•

is a lipid that contains both a fatty acid and a carbohydrate component attached
to a sphingosine molecule.

one of the most common types of membrane lipids; membranes that give cells
their individuality by separating them from their environment.
Sphingoglycolipids have a “head and tail” structure.
What if the carbohydrates is not a monosaccharide?
 If the sphingoglycolipids contain a monosaccharide, it is called a Cerebrosides.

 If the sphingoglycolipids contain a branched chain of carbohydrate, it is called

a
Ganglioside.
Classification According To Carbohydrate Component:
1. Cerebroside
➢ simple SphGL containing a single monosaccharide unit (either glucose or
galactose)
➢ occur in the brain (7% of dry mass) and in myelin sheath
2. Ganglioside
➢ more complex SphGL containing a branched chain of up to seven
monosaccharide residues
➢ occur in gray matter of the brain and in myelin sheath
SPHINGOGLYCOLIPIDS UNDERGO HYDROLYSIS AND
SAPONIFICATION
• Both the amide and the gycosidic linkages can be hydrolyzed. Resulting to an
independent products of a carbohydrate and a fatty acid.
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF SPHINGOGLYCOLIPIDS
 cellular proliferaton, differentiation, and recognition.
 identified to be receptors of several viruses and bacteria or antigen
epitopes in some of auto-immune diseases.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol
➢ It is the third of three major types of membrane lipids (phospholipids,
glycolipids, and cholesterol.)
➢ There is no Fatty acid residue present
➢ Neither glycerol nor sphingosine is present as the platform molecule

➢ Cholesterol is a STEROID
Cholesterol
➢ A steroid is a lipid whose structure is based on fused-ring system that involves
three 6-membered rings and one 5-membered ring.
➢ Cholesterol is a C27 steroid molecules that is a component of cell membrane
➢ Is the most abundant steroid in the body
Cholesterol
➢ Cholesterol is biosynthesized by all animal cells and is an
essential structural component of animal cell membranes
➢ the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol functional group is present
➢ The lack of large polar molecule group causes cholesterol to have a limited water
solubility
➢ The branch chain of C17 gives both the structural formula and a molecular
model for cholesterol. –OH group on C3 was considered that head of the
molecules.
Cholesterol
➢ Cholesterol is found in cell membranes (up to 25% by mass)
➢ In brain tissues (about 10% by dry mass)

➢ Every 100 mL of human blood plasma contains 50 mg of free cholesterol

➢ Portion of the body's cholesterol is obtained from dietary intake
Cholesterol
➢ Most of its biosynthesized by the LIVER and the INTESTINE.
➢ 800-1000 mg are biosynthesized each day

➢ Total body cholesterol levels increase with increased dietary intake of

cholesterol.
Biosynthetic Cholesterol
➢ Distributed to cells throughout the body for various uses via bloodstream
➢ Sparingly soluble in water

➢ Cholesterol- protein combination are called “lipoprotein”

Lipoproteins
➢ Lipoproteins that carry cholesterol from LIVER to various tissues is called “LDL
(Low-density lipoprotein)”
➢ Those that carry excess cholesterol from tissue back to the LIVER is called
HDL (High-density lipoprotein)

➢ LDL is called “bad cholesterol”

➢ HDL si called “good cholesterol”
Biological function
➢ Used to make bile which allows for fat emulsification and absorption in the gut
and elimination of bilirubin from hemoglobin breakdown.
➢ used to make steroid hormones
➢ central component of plasma cell membranes

➢ Membrane Fluidity
➢ It speeds neural conduction as a vital component of nerve sheaths