lipids Flashcards
What are lipids used for
Insulation, energy storage, membranes in cells, source of energy, protection and hormones
What is it made up of
Carbon hydrogen and oxygen. Many carbon to carbon bonds and carbon to hydrogen bonds so are energy rich
Properties of lipids
Non polar ( evenly distributed electrons)
Insoluble ( doesn’t affect water potential)
Hydrophobic
Structure of triglycerides and bond type
Ester bond. 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids
Properties
Releases ATP ( made in respiration)
Generated 2x as much energy per gram compared to carbohydrates
Can be broken down to glycerol and fatty acids then completely broken down to carbon dioxide and water
What’s the difference between unsaturated and saturated hydrocarbons
Unsaturated- double bond between carbon meaning it has a link/ bend and more likely to be a liquid/oil
Saturated- no double bond, straight more dense likely to be harder so it’s a solid
Where is Phospholipids found and what is the structure
Found in plasma membranes in phospholipid bilayer
Modified triglyceride as it has 1 glycerol 2 fatty acids and a phosphate
Extra electron making it negatively charged so it soluble in water
Hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail
Properties of phospholipids
Cluster together
Help form bilayers ( basis of all membranes)
Hydrophilic heads allows interaction with water in cytoplasm
Non polar tails as barrier to movement to polar molecules
What is cholesterol
Sterol - complex alcohol based on 4 carbon bonds based ring structure with a polar OH group
Uses of cholesterol
Stabilising biological membranes,
Produce steroid hormones
Involved in vitamin d and bile production
Properties of cholesterol
OH group is hydrophilic and rest is hydrophobic
Flat and narrow to increase membrane stability and regulate fluidity
( positioned between phospholipids with hydroxyl group at the periphery)
