Lipids

Question 1

What is a saturated fatty acid?

Answer 1

There are no double bonds between carbons in a chain

Question 2

What is a unsaturated fatty acid?

Answer 2

There are double bonds between carbons in a fatty acid chain. Which causes the fatty acid to have a lower melting temp.

Question 3

What role does amphipathic play in lipid biochemistry?

Answer 3

Membrane lipids are amphipathic, and lipids tend to form lipid bilayers. The polar region of the lipid allows it to be intersected into a cell membrane. It forms a cylindrical shape which makes it good, and hydrophobic end faces the outside and hydrophilic end it towards the inside of the membrane.

Question 4

What is the general structure and function of sterols?

Answer 4

Consist of four rings that pucker and are not planar. Are unsaturated and will increase stability and decrease fluidity.

Question 5

What is the general structure and function of eicosanoids?

Answer 5

There are prostaglandins and thromboxanes, where prostalglandins contain a 5-carbon ring and some stimulate smooth muscle contractions. Thromboxanes have a 6-membered ring containing either, and they produce platelets for blood clotting.