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Sphingolipids definitions

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  • Sphingolipids
    Lipids with a sphingosine backbone, one variable fatty acid, and diverse head groups; second most abundant in eukaryotic membranes.
  • Sphingosine
    An 18-carbon amino alcohol with a unique trans double bond, serving as the structural platform for sphingolipids.
  • Fatty Acid
    Hydrocarbon chain component in lipids; in sphingolipids, only one variable chain is attached via an amide bond.
  • Amide Linkage
    Bond connecting the variable fatty acid to sphingosine, distinguishing sphingolipids from glycerolipids.
  • Ceramide
    Basic sphingolipid structure where the head group is a hydrogen atom, formed after amide linkage creation.
  • Head Group
    Chemical group attached to sphingosine's first carbon, determining sphingolipid class and function.
  • Glycerolipids
    Lipids with a glycerol backbone and two variable fatty acids, linked by ester bonds, unlike sphingolipids.
  • Phosphodiester Linkage
    Bond type connecting certain head groups to sphingosine, forming specific sphingolipid classes.
  • Glycosidic Linkage
    Bond joining sugar-based head groups to sphingosine, creating glycosphingolipids.
  • Eukaryotic Cell Membrane
    Structure where sphingolipids are the second most prevalent lipid, contributing to membrane diversity.
  • Trans Double Bond
    Configuration in sphingosine's hydrocarbon chain, setting it apart from most fatty acids with cis bonds.
  • Amino Alcohol
    Molecule containing both amino and alcohol groups; sphingosine is a prime example in sphingolipids.
  • Palmitate
    Fatty acid precursor contributing to sphingosine's structure, providing part of its hydrocarbon chain.
  • Serine
    Amino acid source for sphingosine's amino group, integral to its backbone formation.
  • Plasma Membrane
    Cellular boundary where sphingolipids are interspersed among other lipids, influencing membrane properties.