Synthesis of which of the following lipids is completed in the Golgi bodies
Synthesis of which of the following lipids is completed in the Golgi bodies
Select an option to attempt
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation
Sphingolipid synthesis is a two-compartment process: The first steps occur in the ER — serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) condenses palmitoyl-CoA + serine → 3-ketosphingosine → sphinganine → dihydroceramide → ceramide. Ceramide is then transported (via CERT protein or vesicle transport) to the Golgi apparatus, where the final head group attachments occur: Golgi glucosyltransferases and galactosyltransferases add sugars to form glycosphingolipids (gangliosides, cerebrosides), and sphingomyelin synthase transfers phosphocholine from phosphatidylcholine to ceramide to form sphingomyelin. Thus synthesis is COMPLETED in the Golgi. In contrast, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and cholesterol synthesis are primarily ER-based.