Chapter 6: Lipid Structure and Function Flashcards
what are lipids primarily composed of?
hydrocarbons, therefore they are mostly insoluble in water
Why are hydrocarbons insoluble in water?
contain hydrogen and carbon, which have similar electronegitivities, and therefore contain mostly nonpolar covalent bonds
what does the fluidity of lipids depend on?
the length of the hydrocarbon chain, the number of unsaturations, and the temperature
Unsaturated Fats: _____ bonds, _____ at room temp; contains _____ hydrogens that can cause a _____ in the hydrocarbon chains
double, liquid, less, kink
Saturated Fats: _____ bonds, _____ at room temp
single, solid
_____ lipids that have extremely long _____ _____, like waxes, form particularly _____ solids at room temperature
saturated, hydrocarbon tails, stiff
What are the 4 types of lipids?
fatty acids, fats (triglycerol), phospholipids, sterols
Fatty Acids: a simple lipid consisting of a _____ chain bonded to a polar _____ functional group (COOH)
hydrocarbon, carboxyl
Fats (Triacylglycerol): fats composed of _____ fatty acids linked to _____. The primary function is _____ _____
three, glycerol, energy storage
Phospholipids: like fats except _____ of the three fatty acids linked to glycerol is replaced with a _____ _____ with or without other attached molecules. The primary constituent of _____.
one, phosphate group, membranes
have a core of _____ _____ ring structures (orange) and are distinguished by attached _____ _____
four hydrophobic, side groups
Fatty acids, phospholipids, and sterols are all _____ molecules because they have both _____ and _____ regions.
amphipathic, hydrophobic, hydrophilic
What is a lipid’s most important biological feature?
its amphipathic nature; it’s responsible for the plasma membrane
