Final answer:
The three general classes of membrane lipids are B) Phospholipids, glycolipids, and sterols. These molecules constitute the primary structure of cellular membranes, each contributing to the function and properties of the membrane, such as fluidity, permeability, and cell signaling.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phospholipids are a major component of the cell membrane and consist of two fatty acids and a phosphate group attached to a glycerol backbone. Glycolipids are lipids with a carbohydrate attached, important for cell recognition and signaling. Sterols, such as cholesterol, are another class of lipids with a structure based on four fused carbon rings, which help to maintain membrane fluidity. Each of these has distinct structural features that allow them to play key roles in membrane structure and function.
Phospholipids have both a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and two hydrophobic (water-repellent) tails, which allows them to form the bilayer structure of cell membranes. Glycolipids are found on the outer surface of the plasma membrane and contribute to the 'mosaic' of the fluid mosaic model of cell membranes. Sterols, like cholesterol, intercalate between phospholipid tails, impacting fluidity and permeability.