Chapter 26, Problem 50PP

a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Polar head and all hydrophobic tails in sphingomyelins need to be identified and the possibility of being major constituent of lipid bilayers need to be discussed.

Concept introduction:

Lipids are a group of compounds which occur naturally and are extracted from cells using a non-polar solvent.  Lipids are further classified as simple and complex lipids.  The long non-polar carbon chain present in the lipid is the hydrophobic tail.  The hydrophilic group or the polar group present in the lipid is known as polar head.

To identify: the polar head and all hydrophobic tails.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Polar head and all hydrophobic tails in sphingomyelins need to be identified and the possibility of being major constituent of lipid bilayers need to be discussed.

Concept introduction:

Lipid bilayers are the main fabric of cell membranes.  The surface of the lipid bilayer is polar where polar heads assemble.  The lipid bilayers are hence water soluble.  The lipid bilayers has the phosphoglyceride self-assembled.  The hydrophobic tails avoid contact with the water.

To predict: whether sphingomyelins can be a major constituent of lipid bilayers.