Lipid Structure and Function Flashcards
lipids
class characterized by insolubility in water and solubility in nonpolar organic solvents
amphipathic
has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions
phospholipids
contain a phosphate and alcohol that comprise the polar head, joined to a hydrophobic fatty acid tail by phosphodiester linkages
saturated fatty acids
only have single bonds; mores stable; form solids at room temp
unsaturated fatty acid
includes one or more double bonds; liquids at room temp;
glycerophospholipids aka phosphoglycerides
phospholipids that contain a glycerol backbone bonded by ester linkages to two fatty acids and a phosphodiester linkage to a highly polar head group
sphingolipids
have a sphingosine backbone; long chain, nonpolar fatty acid tail and polar head groups; divided into four major subclasses, differing by head group
ceramide
simplest sphingolipid, has a single hydrogen atom as its head
sphingomyelins
are also phospholipids; have either phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine as head group; no net charge on head group
glycosphingolipids
head groups composed of sugars;
cerebrosides: single sugar
globosides: multiple sugars
gangliosides
glycolipids that have polar head groups composed of oligosaccharides with one or more NANA molecules
waxes
esters of long-chain fatty acids with long-chain alcohols
terpenes
class of lipids built from isoprene; share a common structural pattern with carbons grouped in multiples of 5
monoterpenes
contain two isoprene units
sesquiterpenes
contain three isoprene units
diterpenes
contain four isoprene units
triterpenes
six isoprene nits
tetraterpenes
eight isoprene nits; include carotenoids
steroids
metabolic derivatives of terpenes; four cycloalkane rings fused together
steroid hormones
steroids that act as hormones; regulate gene expression and metabolism
cholesterol
steroids that is a major component of the phospholipid bilayer; has importance in mediating membrane fluidity
prostoglandins
unsaturated carboxylic acids derived from arachidonic acid; contain one 5-carbon ring; regulates camp
vitamin
essential nutrient that must be consumed in the diet
vitamin A aka carotene
unsaturated hydrocarbon thats important in vision, growth and development and immune function
retinal, retinol, retinoic acid
retinal- component of light-sensing molecular system in the eye
retinol- storage form of vitamin A
retinoic acid- hormone that regulates gene expression during epithelial development
vitamin D aka cholecalciferol
can be consumed or formed by UV-light driven reaction in the skin; increases calcium and phosphate uptake in the intestines, which promotes bone production
rickets
condition caused by lack of vitamin D that results in impeded growth and curved long bones
vitamin E aka tocopherols and tocotrienols
substituted aromatic ring with a long isoprenoid side chain; antioxidants; destroys free radicals
vitamin K including phylloquinone and menaquinones
vital to form prothrombin, important clotting factor
triacylglycerols
composed of three fatty acids bonded by ester linkages to glycerol; non polar and hydrophobic
adipocytes
store fat
saponification
ester hydrolysis of triacylglycerols using a strong base
surfactant
lowers surface tension
micelles
tiny aggregates of soap with they hydrophobic tails turned inward and the heads turned outward
