Fats Flashcards
What is the monomer of lipids
Fatty acids
What are the functions of lipids
Energy storage, insulation, water repellent, membrane structure, enzyme cofactors, signalling molecules, pigments, antioxidants
What are lipids characterised by
Being hydrophobic
What are the two types of lipids
Storage lipids and membrane lipids
What are storage lipids
Triglycerides, used for energy storage
What is the function of membrane lipids
Used in the cell membrane
What are the two types of membrane lipids
Phospholipids and glycolipids
Why are triglycerides used for energy storage
Because they can be split into two units which then can oxidise easily
How long are fatty acids
4-36 carbons long
What are saturated fats
no C=C bond
What is an monounsaturated fat
one C=C bond
What is a polyunsaturated fat
multiple C=C bonds
What determines melting point
Length and saturation (more saturated = higher MP)
What is trans fats
Unsaturated fats partially dehydrogenated
Why is it useful for deep frying
Stable at high temperatures
What does the delta number mean in context of nomenclature
where the double bonds are
Do fatty acids usually have odd or even number of carbons
Even
Why is omega 3 important
Humans cannot synthesise them
What is an omega 3 fatty acid
Where there is a double bond at the third carbon from the back end
What is a phospholipid
A Triglyceride where one of the fatty acids is replaced with a phosphate and alcohol
Are phospholipids amphiphillic or amphoteric
amphiphillic
what is amphiphillic (amphiphatic)
Both being soluble and insoluble in water
Where are phospholipids in the human body
Cell membranes
What is a lipid that does not contain fatty acids
Steroids
What are steroids composed of instead
Interconnected rings
What is cholestorol
A steroid that causes lipids in cell membranes to be more tightly packed making order
