Lipids (1/29) Flashcards
What are lipids?
a diverse group of materials related by their solubility in organic solvents
What are the different types of lipids?
fatty acids, glycerolipids (triglycerides and phospholipids), and steroids
What is the structure of fatty acids?
monocarboxylic acids with 4 or more carbons
What is the general formula for fatty acids?
CH3(CH2)nCOOH
How are fatty acids classified?
by the chain length and saturation
What is the length of a short chain fatty acid?
4-6 carbons
What is the length of a medium chain fatty acid?
8-12 carbons
What is the length of a long chain fatty acid?
14-26 carbons
What does saturated mean?
has no double bonds
What does monounsaturated mean?
one double bond
What does polyunsaturated mean?
two or more double bonds
What does 18:3 w3 mean?
number of carbons:number of double bonds and the location of 1st double bond based on distance from the methyl molecule
What kind of backbone do glycerolipids have?
glycerol backbone
What are triglycerides?
have a glycerol backbone with three fatty acids esterified
What are characteristics of saturated fatty acids?
high melting point, solid at room temperature, “fat”
What are characteristics of unsaturated fatty acids?
low melting point, liquid at room temperature, “oil”
What is hydrogenation?
chemical saturation of double bonds to make liquid solid
What is generated in the process of hydrogenation?
some trans fatty acids
T/F: trans fatty acids can also occur naturally in our diets
true
Are palm oil and palm kernel oil the same?
NO! palm oil is 50% saturated and palm kernel oil is 82% saturated
Where do w3 fatty acids come from?
oils (flaxseed, soybean, canola) and seafood from the microalgae
What are the components of phospholipids?
glycerol backbone, 2 fatty acids, phosphate group, N-containing group
What do phospholipids act as?
emulsifiers
What do phospholipids help form?
membranes
What is the chemical formula for steroids?
C27H45OH
What is an essential component of all cells?
cholesterol
What is cholesterol synthesized by?
all cells
What are examples of cholesterol?
bile acids/salts and hormones
What is cholesterol present in?
the diet esterified with fatty acid
What are waxes?
ester of high molecular weight alcohol and high molecular weight fatty acid