[1.5] lipids Flashcards
what are triglycerides made up of?
they are made up of 3 fatty acids and a glycerol
where are triglycerides found? (4)
- body fat in animals
- vegetable fat in plants
- bloodstream
> we transport fat to and from our fat tissue at adipose tissue in the form of triglycerides - human skin cells
what is the structure of triglycerides?
- 1 × glycerol molecule
- 3 × fatty acids
what is a saturated fatty acid?
a fatty acid with no double bonds present between carbon atoms
what is a monounsaturated fatty acid?
a fatty acid with one C=C present
what is a polyunsaturated fatty acid?
a fatty acid with more than one C=C present
what is esterification?
- the formation of an ester bond between glycerol and fatty acids
- it is a condensation reaction
how are triglycerides formed?
- 3 ester bonds are formed (between glycerol and fatty acid) to form a triglyceride
- 3 water molecules are released in the formation of 1 triglyceride
how is the structure of triglycerides related to its properties?
1. high ratio of C-H bonds - gives it a low mass : energy ratio which means a small amount of triglycerides will release a lot of energy. this makes it an excellent energy store for both animals and plants
2. insoluble - will not affect water potential of the cell and will not dissolve and be lost from the cell so does not affect osmosis
why are lipids important for animals living in dry conditions, such as camels?
when lipids are oxidised during respiration, they release large amounts of water, comparably more than proteins or carbohydrates
what is a phospholipid?
a lipid with a hydrophilic phosphate group instead of one hydrophobic fatty acid tail
what is a bilayer?
- phospholipids form it in aqueous environments
- a hydrophobic barrier is created between the outside and inside of the cell
- this is a basic cell membrane
how are glycolipids formed and what is the structure of it?
- they are formed by combining a lipid with a carbohydrate
- a glycolipid has a glucose, a glycerol and 2 fatty acids
what are the 6 roles of lipids in living organisms?
- source of energy
- formation of cell membrane and glycolipids
- waterproofing - eg. waxy cuticle on leaves, sebum on mammalian skin
- some hormones are lipid based eg. insulin
- insulation - electrical insulation around nerve cells, heat retention in mammals
- protection of internal organs from impact - liver, kidneys etc. can absorb shock
what is the test for lipids (the emulsion test)
- take one clean, dry test tube
- add 2cm³ of sample
- add 5cm³ of ethanol and shake (this dissolves lipids in sample into ethanol)
- add 5cm³ of water and gently shake
positive result: milky white emulsion
control: water instead of sample, remains clear