Lipids (biological molecules) Flashcards
What 3 elements make up a lipid
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
Difference betweenn element ratios between carbs and lipids
Lipids have a higher proprortion of hydrgoen
Properties of lipids
They are insoluble
What 2 groups are a triglyceride made from
Fatty acids and glycerol (alcohol)
Why are triglycerides insoluble in water
No atoms carry a charge so none are attracted to water- they are hydrophobic
Where in the body does ester bonds be broken and which enzymes catlyse this reaaction
Small intestine
Lipase hydrolyses fats into fatty acids and glycerol
What is and what are the properties of saturated fats
It has a single bond`
High Bp
Solid at room temperature
No more H bonds can be added to it
What is an unsaturated fat
It has double bonds
it’s a liquid at room temperature
Double bond causes a kink- molecules are further a part- low BP
More H2 can be added
Properties of triglyceride
- Two types (sat. fats) and (unsaturated oils)
- Non polar, hydrophobic, insoluble
- Energy store- animals as fats, plants as oils
- metabollic store- desert animals
- 5.Insulator- adipose tissue, bad conductor of heat - shock absorber protects delicate organs (kidneys)
- less dense than water- floats
- stores fat soluble vitamins
What is a phosphlipids describes as and why
amphipathic, is hydrophobic and hydrophyllic
why are triglycerides no polymers
They have a definite start and end point, and polymers don’t