Lipids Flashcards
What are lipids
Hydrophobic compounds
What are the most common lipids
Triglycerides and phospholipids
What are triglycerides used for
Energy storage
heat insulation
protection of organs
Pros and cons for triglycerides being used in energy storage
When oxidized, triglycerides yield more energy per unit mass than carbohydrates
But they can’t be mobilized quickly because they’re insoluble so can’t be found in muscles
What are triglycerides made up of
Glycerol and 3 fatty acid tails
Glycerol
C3H8O3
What are fatty acids
R-COOH
Long molecules made up of non-polar hydrocarbon chains with a polar carboxyl acid group at one end
How are triglycerides formed
What’s the name of the bond
-One molecule of glycerol joins with 3 fatty acid molecules
-Ester bond (cond reaction)
What does each ester bond do when forming a triglyceride
Release a water molecule
How do you know it’s an ester bond by looking at the image?
O=C-O
What is a saturated fatty acid
When a fatty acid chain in a triglyceride bond has a C-C single bond
What properties/where can saturated fatty acids be found
-high melting point and solid at room temp
-found in warm blooded animals
What is an unsaturated fatty acid
-Fatty acid chains in the triglyceride has a C=C double bond
Unsaturated fatty acid properties / where they’re found
-low melting point and liquid at room temp
-found in cold blooded animals and plants
-What is the formation of phospholipids
-Bonds in phospholipids
-A glycerol with 2 non-polar hydrophobic fatty acid tails and 1polar hydrophilic phosphate head
-The fatty acid tails to the glycerol = an ester bond
-The phosphate head to the glycerol = phosphoester bond
