lipids Flashcards
how do you classify a lipid?
molecules which are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in water
they form aggregates held together by weak interactions
what are the 4 functions of lipids?
structural component of membrane
intracellular storage depots of metabolic fuel
protection
what are the simplest lipids?
fatty acids
which end do you start numbering the carbons in a fatty acid?
from the carboxyl group end
what are examples of saturated fatty acids?
palmitic acid
stearic acid
what is an example of an unsaturated fatty acid?
oleic acid
what is the relationship between chain length and melting point?
as the chain lengthens, the melting point increases
how many isomeric forms can molecules that contain double bonds occur in?
two
what two isomeric forms can molecules containing double bonds occur in?
cis
trans
what are cis isomers?
similar groups are on the same side of the double bond
what are trans isomers?
similar groups are on opposite sides of the double bond
what does amphipathic mean?
part of the molecule is hydrophobic and part is hydrophilic
what is the relationship between the number of double bonds and the degree of curve of the chain?
the more double bonds the more curve
what angle does a double bond create in a chain?
30 degree
what is an acylglycerol?
esters of fatty acids with a sugar alcohol called glycerol derived from glyceraldehyde
what is a triacylglycerol?
an acylglycerol with 3 fatty acids
what is a diacylglycerol?
an acylglycerol with 2 fatty acids