Step 1: Understanding the Question:
Biological membranes contain various types of lipids: phospholipids, glycolipids, and sterols. The question identifies which of the listed sphingolipids or glycolipids contains a phosphate group.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Sphingomyelin: This is a type of sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes, especially in the myelin sheath. It consists of a sphingosine backbone, a fatty acid, and a phosphocholine or phosphoethanolamine head group. Because it contains a phosphate, it is a phospholipid (specifically a phosphosphingolipid).
• Ceramide: A ceramide consists of sphingosine and a fatty acid. It is the structural precursor to all sphingolipids but does not contain a phosphate group.
• Cerebroside: This is a neutral glycolipid consisting of a ceramide and a single sugar residue (glucose or galactose). It does not contain phosphorus.
• SQDG: Found primarily in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts, this is a sulfolipid. It contains sulfur in a sugar head group, not phosphorus.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Among the choices, only Sphingomyelin contains a phosphorus atom in its polar head group.