Sphingolipids are built on a sphingosine backbone. Which molecule is formed when a fatty acid is attached to sphingosine via an amide bond, and serves as the direct precursor for all complex sphingolipids?
- A Sphingomyelin
- B Cerebroside
- C Ceramide ✓
- D Ganglioside
Correct answer: C. Ceramide
Explanation
Ceramide (sphingosine + fatty acid via amide linkage) is the fundamental precursor of all complex sphingolipids. Adding phosphocholine yields sphingomyelin; adding a sugar yields cerebroside; adding oligosaccharide with sialic acid yields gangliosides. Sphingomyelin, cerebroside, and ganglioside are all downstream of ceramide.
Reference: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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