Lipids Flashcards
Why are lipids waterproof
They are insoluble in water and therefore are useful as a water proofing
Example of lipids being waterproofing
Both plants and insects have waxy, lipid cuticles that conserve water. Mammals produce an oily secretion from glands in the skin
Why are lipids an effective energy store
They contain more energy per gram than any other type of food molecule
How are lipids used in thermal insulation
Subcutaneous deposits of adipose prevent heat loss
How are lipids used for protection
Adipose tissue cushions internal body organs
What are all membrane structures made from
Phospholipids
How are lipids used in electrical insulation
Nerve fibres are surrounded by a fatty myelin sheath
What are steroid hormones made from
The lipid cholesterol
Why are triglycerides important
They are energy stores in plants and animals
What is a triglyceride made from
One glycerol, 3 fatty acid molecules joined together by a condensation reaction to form an ester bond
What is a glycerol
A type of alcohol, each of its OH groups can combine with a fatty acid
What is a fatty acid
A long hydrocarbon chain ending in a carboxylic acid group and a methyl group on the other end
How can fatty acids differ
The length of their hydrocarbon chain
The presence of carbon-carbon double bonds
What is the difference on terms of bonds between saturated and unsaturated triglycerides
Saturated fatty acids have NO double bonds
Unsaturated fatty acids CONTAIN double bonds
What are the properties of a saturated triglyceride
Longer chained fatty acids
More common in animals
Have high melting points -solid at room temp
More intermolecular forces between molecules as the chains are packed close together
