Lipids Flashcards
Describe the structure of a triglyceride.
1 molecule of glycerol and 3 fatty acids.
What bond exists between a glycerol and fatty acid?
Ester bond.
Are triglycerides polar or non polar
Non polar.
Are triglycerides hydrophilic or hydrophobic?
Hydrophobic.
What functional group does glycerol have?
Hydroxyl
What functional group do fatty acid tails have?
Carboxylic acid.
How many carbon atoms could be found in a fatty acid group?
4-24
Describe how an ester bond is created when forming triglycerides.
The methyl group of the fatty acid undergoes a condensation reaction with the hydroxyl group of the glycerol, eliminating a water molecule, forming an ester functional group.
How are triglycerides able to store lots of energy?
How does this compare to carbohydrates?
High ratio of C-H bonds to C atoms in the hydrocarbon tail.
This means they can release more energy than the same mass of carbohydrates.
Why do triglycerides have no effect on the water potential of cells?
Triglycerides are insoluble in water so there is no effect on water potential.
How do triglycerides behave in water?
They clump together to form droplets.
What is a saturated fatty acid?
A fatty acid with a hydrocarbon chain containing single C-C bonds only.
What is an unsaturated fatty acid?
A fatty acid with a hydrocarbon chain consisting of C=C bonds as well as C-C bods
Where do saturated fats come from?
Animal sources.
Where do unsaturated fats come from?
Plant sources.