Lipids Flashcards
Describe lipids
They are hydrophobic and non - polar
Describe triglycerides
They are made from glycerol and 3 fatty acids and are joined by an ester bond, by condensation reaction.
Write the equation to make a triglyceride molecule
Glycerol + 3 fatty acid -> triglyceride + 3 water
What does R represent in the fatty acids?
The type of fatty acid
What are 3 functions of triglycerides?
- Energy source for aerobic respiration
- Thermal insulation
- Physical protection around organs
What are the 2 types of fatty acids and explain
Saturated fatty acids- contains no carbon-carbon double bond. The hydrocarbon chain is saturated with hydrogen atoms. Saturated fatty acids form unbranched, linear chains.
Unsaturated fatty acids- can be mono or poly unsaturated
What does poly unsaturated mean?
It has more than one double bond
What are the two ways in which fatty acids can vary?
- Length of the hydrocarbon chain
- May be saturated or unsaturated
How does the water bond form when making triglycerides?
An ester bond forms when the OH group from the glycerol bonds with the COOH group of the fatty acids, this is a condensation reaction in which water is released.
