Biological Molecules - Lipids Flashcards
name 2 characteristics about fats solubility
fats are insoluble in water but soluble in organic compounds like ethanol
what elements are fats made out of
oxygen, hydrogen and carbon
what is the general formula for triglycerides
the general formula for triglycerides is C3H83
what are fatty acids (2 things)
fatty acids are long chained hydrocarbons containing a carboxylic (COOH) group at the end
what is the general formula for a fatty acid
the general formula for a fatty acid is CH3(CHn)C00H where n is usually an even number
what type of bond holds triglycerides together
the glycerol and the fatty acids are chemically bonded together by ester bonds
how are ester bonds formed
ester bonds are formed when a condensation reaction occurs between a OH and a COOH and forms a molecule of water
name 2 characteristics of saturated fats
no C=C bonds
having no C=C bonds means it forms straight chains
name 2 characteristics of unsaturated fats
one of more C=C bond
the C=C b bonds cause ‘kinks’ in the chains
what is the difference between cis-unsaturated and trans-unsaturated fats
in cis-unsaturated fats, both CH2’s are at the top with both H’s at the bottom whereas in Trans-unsaturated fats there is a CH2 and a H on the top and bottom of the molecule
what is a phospholipid
a phospholipid is where a glycerol is chemically bonded to 2 fatty acid and a polar phosphate group joins to the third hydroxide group bonds where the 3rd fatty acid would go in a triglyceride and bonds to a alcohol group
how does the polar characteristic of the phosphate group change it’s properties in phospholipids
the polar nature means that phospholipids have a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail
what word describes molecules with hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas
amphipathic
what are phospholipids a huge component of
cell membranes
name 3 functions of fats
- insulation - adipose tissue
- energy source - 9 calories/gram fat
- protection of organs - eg) the kidneys
