Lipids (A) Flashcards
General overview of lipids
What elements do lipids contain?
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Compared to carbohydrates how is the proportion of elements in lipids structured
Lipids have a higher proportion of hydrogen and a lower proportion of oxygen
Are lipids insoluble in water?
Yes
Name two types of lipids
Triglycerides and phospholipids
What are lipids soluble in?
Organic solvents such as alcohol
Are triglycerides and phospholipids polymers
No
Why are lipids not polymers?
They are not made up of similar monomers
What are the properties of lipids?
Insoluble in water
Soluble in organic solvents
Can be either solid (fat) or liquid (oil) at room temperature
What are the roles of lipids?
Lipids Protect With Energy Insulation
Protect: Fat offers protection by surrounding delicate organs
With: They are insoluble in water, used for waterproofing in plants, insects and mammals
Energy: Lipids serve as an energy store, providing twice the energy of carbohydrates
Insulation: Fat also provides insulation by retaining body heat (because they’re slow conductors of heat)
How can lipids be hydrolysed?
Heating with an acid or an alkali
Use of the enzyme lipase at its optimum temperature and pH
What is the general formula of a fatty acid?
R-COOH
What does the ‘R’ represent?
A long hydrocarbon chain
What does the ‘COOH’ represent?
A carboxylic acid group
What are the two types of fatty acids?
Saturated
Unsaturated
What is a saturated fatty acid?
No double bonds in between the carbon atoms
