Fats Flashcards
What are lipids?
Organic molecules made of C and H and O. They are large complex molecules and are non-polar
What are the 2 main types of lipid?
Triglycerides and phospholipids
How is a triglyceride molecule formed?
1 molecule of glycerol and 3 fatty acids in 3 condensation reactions, forming 3 water molecules. 3 ester bonds are formed
What is glycerol?
An organic alcohol with 3 free OH groups
What are fatty acids?
Organic acids with a COOH group on a hydrocarbon tail
How is a triglyceride hydrolysed?
3 molecules of water are needed, breaking the 3 ester bonds
What is a saturated fatty acid?
No double bonds and it is saturated with hydrogens
What is an unsaturated fatty acid?
There is at least 1 double bond. so the chain bends. Can be mono or poly
What are the functions of triglycerides?
In respiration, energy storage, insulation, buoyancy and protection.
How are triglycerides used in respiration?
They are broken down into glycerol and fatty acids to make ATP. They release a lot of energy as there is a lot of C-H bonds broken
What is the structure of phospholipids?
Similar to triglycerides, except 1 fatty acid is replaced by a phosphate group
What are the properties of a phospholipid?
The head is hydrophilic and the fatty acid tails are hydrophobic
