GLYCOLIPIDS

• They are lipids having sugar residues.
• Two common glycolipids are cerebrosides and gangliosides. (1) Cerebrosides
• They are made of amino alcohol sphingosine, a fatty acid and sugar.
• The polar head group is neutral being made of sugar unit.

Glucocerebrosides contain D-glucose in the head region. They are found in cell membranes.

Galactocerebrosides have D-galactose in head region. They occur in cell membranes of brain cells.

Eg. Kerasin, Cerebron, Nervone, Oxynervone.

(2) Gangliosides

• They are made of sphingosine or dihydrosphingosine, fatty acid, glucose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine and sialic acid.
• Gangliosides are involved in ion transport and receptors for viral particles.
• They are found in grey matter.

Note :- By extra storage of glycolipid Tay sach disease is caused.