Lipids Flashcards
Which elements do lipids have a lot of?
Carbons and hydrogens
Are lipids polar or non- polar?
Non- polar (hydrophobic)
Are lipids polymers?
No
What are the three groups of lipids?
- fats
- phospholipids
- steroids
What is the basic structure of fats and oils?
Triglyceride
What is the purpose of fatty acids and triglyceride?
Energy reserve for animals (energy storage molecules) and make up cell membrane
What is the basic structure of a triglyceride?
- 1 glycerol
- 3 fatty acids
What is a glycerol?
A 3 carbon alcohol
What is a fatty acid?
A molecule that consists of a hydrocarbon chain and a carboxylic acid attached to one end
What is an essential nutrient?
One that the body cannot produce naturally- has to be received from food
How do the 3 fatty acids and glycerol form?
Through a condensation reaction
- removal of one H2O molecule for each fatty acid joined
What are the two types of fat?
Saturated and unsaturated
What is a saturated fat? Give example
- solid at room temp
- straight fatty acid chain
- has no room for more hydrogen bonds
- no double bonds between carbons in hydrocarbon
- most animal fats
- unhealthier
- molecules tightly packed
- butter, lard, margarine
Define an unsaturated fat
- liquid at room temp
- there are double bonds between carbons in chain
- most plant oils
- bent/ kinked fatty acid chains
- can bond to more hydrogens
- healthier
- molecules more spread apart
Why are unsaturated fats liquids?
The double bonds create kinks in the carbon skeleton which prevent them from packing together tightly and solidifying at room temp
What types of fats are saturated?
Animal fats
What types of fats are unsaturated?
Plant oils
Why are fats needed in diet?
- needed for hair and skin
- part of phospholipids in membranes of the cell
- necessary for absorption of fat soluble vitamins
Why are unsaturated fats healthier?
They will not clog your arteries- liquid due to the loose packing of the molecules
What is the purpose of phospholipids?
They make up the cell membrane by surrounding and protecting internal cell components
Are phospholipids hydrophobic or hydrophilic?
Hydrophobic
What makes up a phospholipid?
A charged hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail
What happens in a phospholipid bilayer?
The polar heads are oriented towards the aqueous areas and the non-polar fatty acid tails form a non-polar lipid barrier between inside and outside of cell where there is no water
What is the basic structure of a phospholipid?
- 1 molecule of glycerol
- 2 fatty acids
- 1 phosphate group
