In: Biology
We ended the lipids and membranes section with neuronal signaling because it encompasses so many important concepts for lipid biology. Use neuronal signaling as an example to illustrate at least 3 important concepts of lipids and membranes. please explain reasoning
Lipid rafts ( also known as lipid microdomains) are discrete lipid domains present in external leaflet of plasma membrane.Rafts are enriched in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protiens, as well as protiens involved in neuronal signal transduction and intracellular trafficking.
In neurons,lipid rafts act as platform for neuronal signalling transduction initiated by several class of neurotrophic factors including neurotrophins.Evidences also indicate that such rafts are important for neuronal cell adhesion , axon guidance and synaptic transmission.
Lipids can act as neuronal signalling factors in various ways like: