Lipids Flashcards
what are functions of lipids?
- long term energy storage
- present in membrane of cells/organelles
- insulation
- cushioning internal organs
- messaging as part of hormones
what makes lipids a good option for long term energy storage?
- has high energy bonds between C and H
- twice as much energy per gram that carb
more compact than carbs
where do animals store fats?
adipose cells
how many types of lipids are there?
5
what are the types of lipid?
- fat (triglyceride/triacyglycerol)
- phospholipid
- steroid
- wax
- carotenoid
what is the fat structure?
- 1 glycerol backcone
- 3 fatty acid chains
describe the glycerol backbone
3 carbon molecules, each carbon has a hydroxyl group attached for condensation reactions
describe the fatty acid structure
unbranched chain of carbons with a carboxyl group at one end
what is the possible length of fatty acid chains
4-24 carbons
what is saturation
the number of double bonds
what are the types of saturation?
- saturated
- monosaturated
- polyunsaturated
what is the structure of a saturated fatty acid?
single bonds
what is the structure of unsaturated fatty acids?
double bonds, kink
state at room temp of saturated fatty acids
solid
state at room temp of unsaturated fatty acids
liquid
origin of saturated fatty acids
animals
origin of unsaturated fatty acids
plants
examples of saturated fatty acids
butter, lard
examples of unsaturated fatty acids
olive oil, essential FA like omega 3
how does a condensation reaction occur?
between hydroxyl on glycerol carboxyl on fatty acid resulting in an ester bond
phospholipid structure
glycerol backbone with 2 fatty acid chains and a phosphate/polar group
describe the componenets of the phospholipd structure
polar head with non polar tails
describe the polar head of a phospholipids
negatively charged, hydrophilic
describe the nonpolar tails of phospholipids
fatty acids, hydrophic
amphipathic
exhibiting both byhrophilic and hydrophobic properties
what condition must exact for the self-assembly of a phospholipid
must be in water
what force of attraction happens during the self-assembly process of a phospholipid?
hydrophobic interactions
micelle definition
single layer of phospholipid with polar head facing out, nonpolar tails facing inward
phospholipid bilayer
have a double layer of phospholipids where the nonpolar trails aggregate forming a hydrophobic core - basic structure of the plasma membrane
steroid basic structure
carbon skeleton of 4 interconnected rings, three 6C rings and one 5C ring
common examples of steroids
cholesterol, hormones like estrogen and testosterone
wax structure
primarily wax esters a long chain hydrocarbon with an ester group that is not a triglyceride
can also have alchohol, aldehyde $ ketone groups
properties of wax
- soft solid
- becomes liquid when melted
- deforms under pressure without heat
- very NONPOLAR
- ideal for waterproof coating on plants and animals
thermoplastic
is a polymer that turns to a liquid when heated and freezes to a very glassy state when cooled sufficiently
types of natural wx
animal wax, vegetable wax, mieral wax
types of animal wax
beeswax, lanlin, shellac
types of vegeable wx
soy, jojoba, carnauba
types of minral waxes
petroleum (paraffin) from fossil fuels
synthetic types of wax
polypropylene, polyethylene
carotenoids
a natrual fat-soluble pigment
structure of carotenoids
backbone of 40 carbon polyene chain with alternating single and double bonds terminated by cyclic end-groups
where is carotenoid found in plants?
plants, algae, photosynthetic bacteria, pigment needed for photosynthesis
retinal
pigment in eye that absorbs light energy
carotenoid use in animals
retinal and retinol which are derivatives of beta carotene
