Question

Lecithin and cephalin are :
a.) Neutral fats
b.) Glycolipids
c.) Waxes
d.) Phospholipids

Answer 1

Hint: The lecithin is amphiphilic in nature. It is composed of two units of which one is hydrophilic in nature while the other is hydrophobic in nature. The phospholipid molecules have such dual-characteristics. Similarly, the cephalin is also formed from the two constituent molecules which form membranes.

Complete step by step answer:
First, let us look at what lecithin and cephalin are. Then it will become easy for us to classify in the category in which they both fit.
The lecithin is the name given to fatty substances in animal and plant tissues which are yellow brown in colour. These tissues can attract both the hydrophilic groups and even hydrophobic groups toward its side. Thus, they are amphiphilic in nature.
The phospholipids show this kind of amphiphilic behaviour. So, the lecithin can be categorized under phospholipid.
The cephalin consists mainly of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. These two components are the major phospholipids present in membranes of animals and higher plants. Thus, even the cephalin is phospholipid.
So, both the lecithin and cephalin are phospholipids in nature.
So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Note: The lecithin are used to smoothen the food textures and have emulsification and lubricant properties. These can act as surfactant in nature. Lecithin finds applications in human food, paints, animal food etc. These are commonly used food additives.
The cephalin is the primary phospholipid in the bacteria. The phospholipids are lipids with hydrophilic heads containing phosphate groups and two hydrophobic tails formed from fatty acids. These are joined by alcohol residue.