A phosphoglyceride is always composed of
Correct Answer :
an unsaturated or saturated fatty acid esterified to a glycerol molecule to which a phosphate group is also attached
Solution :
The correct option is: "an unsaturated or saturated fatty acid esterified to a glycerol molecule to which a phosphate group is also attached"
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Understanding Phosphoglycerides (Glycerophospholipids):
Phosphoglycerides are a class of phospholipids and are major components of biological membranes. Their basic structure consists of a glycerol backbone, which is a three-carbon alcohol. By analyzing the structural blueprint of these molecules, we can determine how their individual components are linked together.
2. The Glycerol Backbone and Esterification:
A glycerol molecule has three hydroxyl (-OH) groups:
- The first two hydroxyl groups (typically at the C-1 and C-2 positions of glycerol) undergo esterification with fatty acids.
- The fatty acids attached can be either saturated (containing no double bonds between carbon atoms) or unsaturated (containing one or more double bonds). Thus, the fatty acids esterified to the glycerol can be unsaturated or saturated.
3. Attachment of the Phosphate Group:
The third hydroxyl group (at the C-3 position of glycerol) is esterified to phosphoric acid (a phosphate group), rather than a third fatty acid. This phosphate group itself is often linked to an alcohol head group (such as choline, ethanolamine, or serine) to define the specific type of phosphoglyceride.
4. Evaluating the Structure:
Therefore, a phosphoglyceride is always structurally composed of fatty acids (which can be unsaturated or saturated) esterified to a glycerol molecule, to which a phosphate group is also attached. This perfectly matches the correct option.
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