Biochemistry and Cell Biology Fundamentals

Sphingosine is an 18-carbon amino alcohol with an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, which forms a primary part of sphingolipids, a class of cell membrane lipids that include sphingomyelin, an important phospholipid.

Sphingolipids are a class of lipids derived from the aliphatic amino alcohol sphingosine. These compounds play an important role in signal transmission and cell recognition.

Ergosterol is a biological precursor (a provitamin) to vitamin D₂. It is turned into viosterol by ultraviolet light, and is then converted into ergocalciferol, which is a form of vitamin D.

Sulfatides are a class of sulfated galactosylceramides synthesized primarily in the oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system. Sulfatides are a type of sulfolipid.

Farnesol is a natural organic compound which is an acyclic sesquiterpene alcohol found as a colourless liquid. It is insoluble in water, but miscible with oils. It is the building block of most, and possibly all, acyclic sesquiterpenoids and is an important starting compound for organic synthesis.

Apolipoprotein B is the primary apolipoprotein of low-density lipoproteins which is responsible for carrying cholesterol to tissues.