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Biomolecules (Y2,S1) > Fatty Acids & Lipids > Flashcards

Fatty Acids & Lipids Flashcards

1
Q

2 characteristics of lipids

A
  • Low solubility in water
  • Relatively hydrophobic
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2
Q

9 function of lipids

A
  1. Energy storage: good packing due to hydrophobic nature
  2. Insulation from Environment: high heat capacity (can “absorb” heat)
  3. Water repellant: hydrophobic nature
  4. Bouyancy control & acoustics in in marine mammals
  5. Membrane structure: main structure of cell membranes
  6. Cofactors for enzymes: vit K - blood clot formation
  7. Signaling molecules: growth factors, hormones
  8. Pigments: colour of tomatoes, carrots
  9. Antioxidants: Vit E
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3
Q

Two major lipid categories

A
  • Lipids that contain fatty acids (complex lipids)
  • Lipids that dont contain FAs (cholesterol, vitamins, pigments)
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4
Q

What categories can complex lipids be further divided into

A
  • Storage lipids
  • Membrane lipids
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5
Q

What is the healthy kind of fat

A

Unsaturated fat - contains double bonds

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6
Q

Which 2 fats are the unhealthy fats

A
  1. Trans fats
  2. Saturated fats
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7
Q

Saturated fats

A

No double bonds between carbons in the alkyl chain

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8
Q

Monounsaturated fats

A

One double bond between carbons in the alkyl chain

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9
Q

Polyunsaturated fats

A

More than one double bond in the alkyl chain

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10
Q

What would 18:1 delta 9 mean

A
  • 18 carbons
  • 1 double bond
  • Double bond on 9th carbon from carbonyl carbon (COOH carbon)
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11
Q

What does 18:1 omega 9 mean

A
  • 18 carbons
  • 1 double bond
  • Double bond 9 carbons from the terminal methyl (last carbon)
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12
Q

What happens when the length of hydrocarbon chain increases in FAs (2)

A
  • The solubility of the FA in water decreases, as molecule is becoming more non polar, less able to form hydrogen bonds with water
  • The melting point of the FA increases also
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13
Q

What are the 2 major classes of polyunsaturated FAs

A
  • Omega 6
  • Omega 3
    (essential FAs)
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14
Q

What does the cis configuration of double bonds do to the fatty acid chain

A

Kinks the chain

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15
Q

What way do saturated FAs pack

A

In an orderly way - no d bonds = no kinks in chains

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16
Q

What way do unsaturated FAs pack

A

Less orderly due to the kink (caused by double bond)

17
Q

Do unsaturated or saturated cis FAs have a lower melting point & why

A

Unsaturates cis FAs have a lower melting point as they are packed less tightly so require less energy to break, therefore they have a lower melting point

18
Q

By what process do trans fatty acids form

A

By partial dehydrogenation of unsaturated FAs

19
Q

Melting point of trans unsaturated FAs

A

A trans double bond does not form a kink.
Trans FAs can pack more tightly and therefore have higher melting points.

20
Q

What is a triglyceride

A

A lipid with 3 FAs esterified by a glycerol backbone

21
Q

Solubility of triglycerides in water compared to that of FAs

A

Less soluble in water than FAs due to esterification of carboxylate group

22
Q

What are waxes

A

Esters of long chain saturated & unsaturated FAs with long chain alcohols

23
Q

Solubility & melting point of waxes

A
  • Insoluble
  • High mp
24
Q

5 functions of waxes

A
  1. Storage of metabolic fuel in plankton
  2. Protection & pliability for hair & skin
  3. Waterproofing of feathers
  4. Prtection from evaporation in tropical plants
  5. Used in lotions, ointments, polishes
25
Q

3 types of membrane lipid

A
  1. Glycerophospolipid
  2. Glycerolipid
  3. Sterol - contains steroid rings
26
Q

Structure of glycerophospholipids

A

Two FAs form ester linkages with the 1st & 2nd hydroxyl groups of L-glycerol-3-phosphate
* Head group substituent
* Glycerol
* Fatty acids

27
Q

What is the backbone of sphingolipids

A

The backbone of sphingolipids is long chain amino alcohol sphingosine

28
Q

In sphingolipids, the FA is joined to sphingosine via what kind of linkage

A

Amide linkage

29
Q

What are glycosphingolipids

A

A subgroup of sphingolipids that contain saccharide head groups

30
Q

Structure of sterols

A
  • Four fused rings of steroid nucleus gives rigidity
  • Hydroxyl group (polar head) in A-ring
  • Non polar side chains
31
Q

Physiological role of sterols

A
  • Cholesterol & related sterols in membranes of eukaryotic cells
  • Modulate fluidity & permeability
  • Thicken plasma membrane
32
Q

What are phospholipids degraded by

A

Phospholipases A-D
Each cleaves a specific bond

33
Q

Where are structural & signalling lipids degraded

A

In the lysosome

34
Q

Examples of polyketides (biologically active lipids with medicinal uses)

A
  • Erythromycin (antibiotic)
  • Amphotericin B (anti fungal)
  • Lovastatin (statin) - cholesterol lowering drugs

Biomolecules (Y2,S1) (6 decks)

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