Lipids Flashcards
What are Lipid?
Molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with a much higher proportion of hydrogen atoms.
Are lipid digestible by humans?
No, they are not digestible by humans.
What do lipid store?
They store more chemical energy than carbohydrates.
What are the major energy-storage molecules in animals?
Lipids are used as major energy-storage molecules in animals.
How are most fats manufactured?
Most fats are manufactured from the overabundance of carbohydrates.
What are the groups into which lipids are divided?
- Triglycerides (fats and oils)
- Phospholipids
- Steroids (hormones and cholesterol)
What is a lipid?
An organic compound that does not dissolve in water, such as fat or oil.
What are the functions of lipids?
- Help with moving and storing energy
- Absorb vitamins
- Make hormones
- Store energy in the form of fat
- Make up cell membranes
- Insulate the body and protect organs
- Protect nerve cells.
What is saturated fat?
Fat that has no double bonds between carbon atoms and is considered unhealthy.
What is unsaturated fat?
Fat that has at least one double bond between carbon atoms, creating kinks in the chain, and is considered healthy.
What is trans fat?
A type of unsaturated fat where hydrogen atoms are on opposite sides of the double bond, making the structure more rigid and straight, and is considered unhealthy.
What are triglycerides?
Composed of three fatty acid molecules attached to a glycerol backbone; the primary form of energy storage in the body.
Examples include butter and olive oil.
What are phospholipids?
Composed of two fatty acids, a glycerol backbone, and a phosphate group; a major component of cell membranes.
What are steroids?
Comprised of four interconnected carbon rings with various functional groups attached; function as hormones and signaling molecules.
What is the hydrophobic property of steroids?
Steroids are hydrophobic but can dissolve in fats and penetrate cell membranes.
