Lipids Flashcards
Lipids are __________ (hyrdophilic/hydrophobic)
Hydrophobic
Lipid molecules are composed of what elements?
Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen (C2H2O)
What is the difference between a lipid molecule and a carbohydrate molecule?
The lipid molecule contains fewer polar O-H bonds and more Non-Polar C-H bonds
(Making them NOT soluble in water)
What do organisms use lipids for?
Storing energy
Building membranes
Chemical signaling
excess ______ are converted into ______ to store energy
Carbohydrates - Fats
what is adipose tissue? and what does it do?
it is fat tissue, it stores energy
What are the 3 main categories of lipids?
Neutral Fats
Phospholipids
Steroids and Cholesterol
Neutral fats are also known as?
triglycerides
What are triglycerides used for?
Longer term energy storage
Insulation
Cushioning
What makes up a triglyceride?
3 fatty acid chains attached to a backbone of glycerol.
What is an unsaturated fatty acid chain?
Has at least one C=C bond
Not saturated with as many H’s as possible
What is a saturated fatty acid chain?
Saturated with as many H’s as possible
No C=C bonds
What are some sources of unsaturated fatty acid chains?
Nuts
avocado
soybean
olive oil
canola oil
(Usually a liquid at room temperature)
What are some sources of saturated fatty acids?
Meat
Butter
Coconut Oil
Palm Oil
(usually a solid at room temperature)
What are trans fats?
unsaturated fatty acids that have undergone forced hydrogenation to extend the shelf life of processed foods
butter = 3%
shortening = 30%
What are phospholipids?
fat molecules with a hydrophilic phosphate head and hydrophobic lipid tails
Where are phospholipids found?
Major component of cell membranes
- forms a bilayer that is semi-permeable -
What are lipoproteins?
lipid/protein particles that carry cholesterol around your body.
What are LDL’s
Low Density Lipoproteins
considered the bad cholesterol
What are HDLs
High Density Lipoproteins
considered the good cholesterol
What do HDLs do?
actively remove cholesterol from your bloodstream, carrying it to the liver to be processed and expelled
What is the risk of LDLs?
LDL cholesterol can collect in the walls of blood vessels, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis (plaque or fatty build up in arteries)
Why are steroids considered lipids?
All have 4 rings of carbon atoms
They do not have a fatty acid chain
They are all hydrophobic so they are lipids
