Question

A phosphoglyceride is always made up of?

• A. a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid esterified to a phosphate group which is also attached to a glycerol molecule
• B. a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid esterified to a glycerol molecule to which a phosphate group is also attached
• C. only an unsaturated fatty acid esterified to a glycerol molecule to which a phosphate group is also attached
• D. only a saturated fatty acid esterified to a glycerol molecule to which a phosphate group is also attached

Answer 1

The correct option is B

a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid esterified to a glycerol molecule to which a phosphate group is also attached

The correct option is B.

Explanation of correct option:

1. Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules that are mainly found in cell membranes.
2. It has a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails. The head is made of a phosphate group, whereas, the tails are comprised of fatty acids (saturated or unsaturated).
3. Phospholipids are of two types- glycerophospholipids and sphingophospholipids.
4. In glycerophospholipids, the fatty acid chains are attached to a glycerol backbone and a modified phosphate group is attached to the glycerol.

Final answer: A phosphoglyceride is always made up of a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid esterified to a glycerol molecule to which a phosphate group is also attached.