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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is true about sphingolipids? A) They are all phospholipids. B) They all contain a carbohydrate backbone. C) They can have either a phosphodiester or a glycosidic linkage to their polar head group. D) The all contain a glycerol molecule backbone. E) None of the above are true.
A
They are all phospholipids.
B
They all contain a carbohydrate backbone.
C
They can have either a phosphodiester or a glycosidic linkage to their polar head group.
D
The all contain a glycerol molecule backbone.
E
None of the above are true.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of sphingolipids: Sphingolipids are a class of lipids that have a sphingoid base backbone, not a glycerol backbone. This distinguishes them from glycerophospholipids.
Identify the types of linkages in sphingolipids: Sphingolipids can have either a phosphodiester linkage or a glycosidic linkage to their polar head group. This is a key feature that differentiates them from other lipid types.
Evaluate option A: Not all sphingolipids are phospholipids. While some, like sphingomyelins, are phospholipids, others, such as glycosphingolipids, are not.
Evaluate option B: Sphingolipids do not all contain a carbohydrate backbone. Instead, they have a sphingoid base backbone, and only some, like glycosphingolipids, have carbohydrate groups attached.
Evaluate option D: Sphingolipids do not contain a glycerol molecule backbone. This is a characteristic of glycerophospholipids, not sphingolipids.