Question

identify the group that is present in n-(hexadecanoyl)-sphing-4-enine. select the correct answer below: ethanolamine choline sphingosine serine

Explanation:

N-(hexadecanoyl)-sphing-4-enine is a ceramide. Ceramides are composed of a sphingosine backbone, a fatty acid (hexadecanoyl in this case), and an amide linkage. The sphingosine group is clearly present in the structure. Ethanolamine, choline, and serine are head - groups found in phospholipids (e.g., phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine) which have a glycerol backbone, not a sphingosine backbone as in this molecule.

Answer:

sphingosine