Ceramides
Ceramides
Ceramides (pronunciation: /sɪˈræmɪd/ or /ˈsɛrəˌmaɪd/) are a family of waxy lipid molecules. A ceramide is composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid. Ceramides are found in high concentrations within the cell membrane of cells. They are one of the component lipids that make up sphingomyelin, one of the major lipids in the lipid bilayer.
Etymology
The term "ceramide" comes from the Latin cera (wax) and amide (organic compound containing a carbonyl group linked to a nitrogen atom).
Function
Ceramides play a crucial role in structuring and maintaining the water permeability barrier function of the skin. They are also involved in various cellular signaling: differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and others.
Related Terms
- Sphingolipid: A class of lipids containing a backbone of sphingoid bases, a set of aliphatic amino alcohols that includes sphingosine.
- Sphingomyelin: A type of sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes, especially in the membranous myelin sheath that surrounds some nerve cell axons.
- Lipid bilayer: A universal component of all cell membranes, composed of two layers of lipids.
See Also
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