Lipids Flashcards
What is the significance of the hydrophobic core in cell membranes?
The hydrophobic core acts as a barrier to water-soluble molecules
Preventing them from crossing the cell membrane freely.
How does the composition of fatty acid tails affect the fluidity of the cell membrane?
Saturated fatty acid tails: make the membrane less fluid.
Unsaturated fatty acid tails: make the membrane more fluid.
What creates a hydrophobic core in a phospholipid bilayer?
The presence of hydrophobic fatty acid tails creates a hydrophobic core when a phospholipid bilayer forms
Acting as a barrier to water-soluble molecules.
What is the main component of cell membranes?
The main component (building block) of cell membranes is phospholipids.
Why are phospholipids important in cell membranes?
Their amphipathic characteristic allows them to form bilayers
Which create a barrier between the interior of the cell and the external environment.
What are the hydrophilic parts of phospholipids?
Phosphate groups
What are the hydrophobic parts of phospholipids?
Fatty acid tails
What does amphipathic mean in the context of phospholipids?
Amphipathic means that a molecule has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics.
Define the term ‘hydrophilic’ as used in the context of phospholipids.
Hydrophilic refers to the property of being attracted to water, which applies to the phosphate head of phospholipids.
How do the properties of phospholipids contribute to cell membrane structure?
Phospholipids have a hydrophilic (polar) head and hydrophobic (non-polar) tails
Allowing them to form bilayers that create a barrier in cell membranes.
What characteristic do the fatty acid tails of phospholipids have?
The fatty acid tails are non-polar, which makes them insoluble in water (hydrophobic).
What is the solubility of phosphate in water?
Soluble in water (hydrophilic).
What replaces one of the fatty acid tails in a phospholipid molecule?
A phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻)
What are the two main functions of lipids mentioned?
Lipids function as components of cell membranes and serve as energy storage.
Is the phosphate head in a triglyceride polar or non-polar?
The phosphate head in a triglyceride is polar
