Which kind of lipid is lecithin?
Nucleotides
It is an organic molecule made up of three basic components- a nitrogenous base, phosphate,and pentose sugar. The nucleotides are important for metabolic reactions andthe formation of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are essential biomolecules present in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and viruses. They carry the genetic information for the synthesis of proteins and cellular replication. The nucleic acids are of two types: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The structure of all proteins and ultimately every biomolecule and cellular component is a product of information encoded in the sequence of nucleic acids. Parts of a DNA molecule containing the information needed to synthesize a protein or an RNA are genes. Nucleic acids can store and transmit genetic information from one generation to the next, fundamental to any life form.
Which kind of lipid is lecithin?
Lipids are organic substances that are insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, and consists of fatty acids. They are broadly classified into simple lipids and complex lipids. Both simple and complex lipids have esters of fatty acid with alcohol but complex lipids have additional groups like phosphate, carbohydrate, proteins, or nitrogenous bases. Complex lipid is therefore further classified into phospholipid, glycolipids, lipoproteins, and other complex lipids.
Lecithin is a type of lipid which belongs to the glycerophospholipid group of phospholipids. This glycerophospholipid group contains phosphoric acid, fatty acid, and has glycerol as their alcohol group. Therefore, the structure of lecithin will have a phosphoric acid, fatty acid, and glycerol but they have choline in addition to this to separate them from other lipids of the glycerophospholipid group. They are thus referred to as phosphatidylcholine and are considered as the most abundant form of phospholipids found in the cell membrane. This kind of lipid helps to lower cholesterol, acts as an emulsifier, and to improve brain function. The structure of lecithin is given as -
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