Fatty Acids Flashcards
What is the general structure of fatty acids?
Fatty acids consist of a long carbon chain containing a carboxylic acid functional group at one end.
What is the typical range of carbon chain lengths found in fatty acids?
The length of the chain varies from 8 to 30 carbons, with 12 to 24 carbons being most typical.
What notation describes a saturated fatty acid with 14 carbons and no double bonds?
14:0
What is the definition of unsaturated fatty acids?
Unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds.
How is a monounsaturated fatty acid with 16 carbons and one double bond at carbon-9 notated?
16:1(9)
What does the notation 16:2(10,13) indicate about a polyunsaturated fatty acid?
It indicates a 16-carbon chain with two double bonds at carbons 10 and 13.
What is the omega naming system used for?
It indicates the position of the double bond counted from the -CH3 end of the fatty acid molecule.
What is an example of a fatty acid using the omega naming system?
Omega-3,6 fatty acid
Why are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) considered ‘good fat’?
PUFAs require less energy to digest because they contain fewer carbon-carbon single bonds to break.
What are two critical roles of fatty acids in biological systems?
- Component of membrane lipids
- Storing fat
True or False: Most carbon chains in fatty acids are odd-numbered.
False
Fill in the blank: The simplified notation for a saturated fatty acid with 24 carbons is _______.
24:0
What is the typical position for a double bond in a monounsaturated fatty acid?
Between carbons 9 and 10
What is the starting point for numbering carbons in fatty acids?
The carboxylic acid carbon
What does the number in parentheses indicate in the notation of unsaturated fatty acids?
The position of the double bond
What is the significance of carbon-1 in the delta
naming system?
It is the carboxylic acid carbon.
What is a common feature of double bonds in PUFAs?
They are frequently located 3 or 6 carbons from the omega end.
