Lipids and Membranes Flashcards
Name a general types of lipids and their functions.
fatty acids which are components of
acyl glycerols= storage.
Phospholipids and glycolipids=membranes
isoprenoids;
metabolism (coenzyme Q)
pigments (carotenoids)
signaling (steroid hormones)
membrane structure (cholesterol)
What are fatty acids?
carboxylic acids with long hydrocarbon chains
What is a property of palmitic acid?
Amphipathic
Difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids give example
Saturated =single bonds and maximum number of hydrogen bonds whereas unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds and can have cis and trans configurations such as oleic acid
what are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) give example
They contain more than one double bond such as linoleic acid
What is the nomenclature for fatty acids
C(20) (number of carbon atoms)
:4() number of double bonds
cis/trans
delta numbering from carboxyl end
label on delta position no. of double bonds
use omega or n numbering from methyl end to first double bond such as an omega 6 (6) fatty acid
C20:4 cis, cis, cis, cis-^5, ^8, ^11, ^14
what’s an example of an odd chain unusual fatty acid
Wool grease Lanolin it has ‘iso’ and ‘anteiso’
bacterial origin= high levels in ruminants, 2 step digestion e.g. goat rumen bacteria
Free FA’s (cant be stored in blood) so we have esterified FA’s
most FAs present as esters (carboxylic acid, plus alcohol= ester) so COOH become COOR
what are acyl glycerols
Glycerol= 3 carbon polyol
acyl group=RCO(O)
up to 3 fatty acids can be esterified to glycerol
what are (Glycero)phospholipids
Components of membranes with a diacylglycerol and a phosphodiester
2 fatty acids-glycerol-phosphate-alcohol
What are Ether lipids
Membrane lipids from the Archaea which have ether linkages.
what are 3 different types of simple layers of membranes
Bilayers, micelles, and liposomes
Diffusion of membrane lipids and speed
Lateral diffusion= fast
Transverse diffusion= slow
membrane fluidity
unsaturated fatty acids increase fluidity
kink introduced by cis double bonds
cholesterol decreases fluidity
Triacylglycerols
Storage lipids in which three fatty acids are joined to glycerol by ester links.
