Which of the following lipids can insulate nerve impulse ?

Options

A. Simple lipids
B. Phospholipids
C. Glycolipids
D. Terpenes

Answer

To determine which lipid can insulate nerve impulses, let's analyze the options provided: simple lipids, phospholipids, glycolipids, and terpenes.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Role of Lipids in Nerve Impulses**:
- Lipids play a crucial role in the structure and function of cell membranes, particularly in neurons where they help in the conduction of nerve impulses.

2. **Identifying the Types of Lipids**:
- **Simple Lipids**: These are primarily fats and oils, which do not have a significant role in insulating nerve impulses.
- **Phospholipids**: These are composed of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails. They are essential components of cell membranes.
- **Glycolipids**: These contain carbohydrates attached to lipids and are also found in cell membranes, but they do not primarily function in insulation.
- **Terpenes**: These are a large class of organic compounds produced by plants, which do not play a direct role in nerve impulse insulation.

3. **Function of Phospholipids in Nerve Impulses**:
- Phospholipids form a bilayer that creates a barrier around the cell, which is crucial for maintaining the membrane potential necessary for nerve impulse conduction. The hydrophobic tails prevent the free passage of ions, thus insulating the nerve impulse.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Among the options, **phospholipids** are the lipids that can insulate nerve impulses due to their unique structure and function in forming cell membranes.

### Final Answer:
- The lipid that can insulate nerve impulses is **phospholipids**.