Chapter 5 Lipid Structure And Function Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is an amphipathic molecule
Has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions
What elements make up the phospholipid head and tail and what type of bond links them?
The phospholipid head is made from alcohol and a phosphate
The phospholipid tail is made from hydrophobic fatty acids linked by phosphodiester linkages
What makes up the backbone of phosphoglycerides and glycerol phospholipids?
Glycerol
What makes up the backbone of sphingolipids
Sphingosine
What is the difference between a saturated fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acid?
Saturated fatty acids contain all single bonds no pi bonds and are more rigid and structure and are solid at room temperature
Unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds cannot stack because of their kinks and are liquids at room temperature
What type of backbone make up glycerol phospholipid/phosphoglycerides? What bonds link this phospholipid together?
Glycerol backbone
Linked to two fatty acids via ester linkage
Also linked to the highly polar head group via phosphodiester linkage
What are the four major sub classes of sphingolipids? And how are they classified?
Classified by their head group 1. Sphingomyelins -Phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidyl ethanolamine head group 2. Ceramide -single hydrogen head group 3.Glycosphingolipids -sugar head groups 4.Ganglioside -One or more Nacetylneuraminic acid NANA/sialis acid and oligosaccharides 
Where are Sphingophospholipids found and what did they do?
They are found in the plasma membrane of the cell and they produce myelin which insulates axons
Myelin (Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells)
Where are Glycosphingolipids found?
Glycosphingolipid’s are found on the outer surface of the plasma membrane they are also known as neutral for glycolipids because they have no net charge at physiological pH.
What charge do gangliosides have and what role do they play in the cell?
Negative charge. They play a role in cell interaction recognition and signal transduction
What is a wax?
Masters of long chain fatty acids with long chain alcohols. They function as protection and prevent excessive evaporation and protection from parasites
What are three important categories of signaling lipids?
Steroids, prostaglandins, fat soluble vitamins
What are terpenes?
Metabolic precursor of steroids and other signaling molecules. Built from isoprene moieties. 
Classified based on the number of isoprene units
Monoterpene:2 Sesquiterpene:3 Diterpene:4 Triterterpene:6 Tetratrtpene:8
What is the structure of a steroid what are they derived from?
Made up of three cyclohexane rings and one cyclopentane ring. As well as functional groups. Derived from Terpenes.
What determines the functionality of a steroid?
Oxidation status of the rings that make up the steroid as well as functional groups
What is a cholesterol?
Steroid
Amphipathic molecules that is a major component to the fluidity of the phospholipid by layer. Serves as a precursor for steroid hormones bile acids in vitamin D
Prostaglandins
Act as paracrine autocrine signaling molecules that regulate the synthesis of cAMP. Downstream effects include effects on smooth muscle function influence over sleep wake cycle and elevation of body temperature
Water soluble vitamins
DAKE
Vitamin A
Aka carotene. Important for vision, growth, development immune function.
Retinal/Retinol
Vitamin D
Formed through UV light driven reaction on the skin. Converted to calcitriol which promotes bone production.
Vitamin E
Tocopherols and tocotrienols (hydrophobic)
Biological antioxidants. Reacts with free radicals and destroys them
Vitamin K
Group of compounds including K1 and K2.
Vital to posttranslational modifications that forms prothrombin that assists with clotting factors.
Introduces calcium binding sites on calcium dependent proteins.
Triacylglycerides
Lipids used for energy storage.
Yield twice the amount of energy because the carbons are more reduced than other sugars.
Energy and insulation
What is the structure of triacylglycerols?
Three fatty acids bonded through ester linkages to glycerol.
Nonpolar and hydrophobic
