Lipids

Question 1

Lipid structure

Answer 1

Triglycerides made up of monomers:
3 x Fatty acid chains
Glycerol x 1

Question 2

Subclasses of lipid?

Answer 2

Phospholipids
Triglycerides
steroids

Question 3

Phospholipid structure

Answer 3

1. Phosphate head (hydrophilic)
2. Glycerol bridge between head and tails
3. ONLY 2 fatty acid chains (hydrophobic)

Question 4

Lipids functions (triglycerides)

Answer 4

1. Energy storage - Long term - large supplies
2. Make up cell membranes - important for life
3. If a surplus, the body puts aside fat producing cells
4. Adipose tissue - (Triglyceride) good thermal insulator (exterior of body)
5. Shock absorbers - flexibility of tissue
6. Low-fat reserves = hypothermia, bruising and damage more likely

Question 5

Steroids structure

Answer 5

4 fused carbon rings

Question 6

Steroid Function

cholesterol

Answer 6

Cell membrane component, providing flexibility and maintains desired fluidity.

Precursor molecule to sex hormones & vitamin D

Split during digestion - liver secretes them as bile acids which emulsify fats - lipase enzyme digests them.