Lipids (FA) Flashcards
Be able to descibe how the specifc structures of biological molecules impace their function in the body
How does chemistry drive biology
fatty, waxy, or oily compounds that are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in polar solvents such as water. Lipids include: Fats and oils (triglycerides)
What is the function of a fat
- long term energy storage
- insulation
- protects internal organs
- chemical signals
what is the structure
- made of carbon and hydrogen (hydrocarbon)
- hydrocarbon chains are the primary structure
- some other lipids may contain functional groups
- Insoluble in water (nonpolar covalent)
- soluble in non-polar substances
What is the structure of triglyceride
a glycerol backbone and three fatty chains
Explain glycerol
- three carbon chains and three hydroxyl groups
- One fatty acid chain will bind with each hydroxyl group producing a total of 3 water molecules
What is the bond between glycerol molecules and fatty chains called
ester linkage
What type of group dose fatty acids have
Carboxyl group
Describe a fatty acid chain
- hydrocarbon may be short, medium, and long
- may be saturated or unsaturated
- the length and number of bonds will ultimately determine the specific properties of fat
what is the condensation reaction between hydrocarbon and the fatty acids
triglyceride
What is a saturated fat
- does not contain a double bond
- straight
- lie flat - strong van der waal force
- solid at room temp
Example of a saturated fat
- lard or animal fat
Example of a unsaturated fat
- olive oil
- fish oil
What is a unsaturated fat
- have one or more double c bonds
- crooked (weaker van der waal force)
- liquid room temp
What is MCFA
saturated and unsaturated acids found in high concentrations in food
What is a phosphlipid molecules
- have a glycerol backbone
- a phosphate group, a nitrogen group
- two fatty acid chains
Structure of phosphlipid
divided in two parts: the tail and the head
What does the head of a phosphlipid consists of
- glycerol backbone
- phosphate group
- nitrogen group
Is the head of a phosphlipid polar or not polar
polar
What is the structure of the tail of the phosphlipid
- 2 fatty chains
- hydrophobic (non-polar)
Explain steroids
- hydrophobic moleucles that contain four hydrocarbon rings and various funtional groups
- cholesterol helps help the cell membrane fluid- like
Examples of steroids
sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen)
Explain waxes and the condensation reaction
between a long-chain fatty acid (carboxyl) and a long-chain alcohol (hydroxyl)
What is chemically different between saturated and unsaturated fats
- Saturated fats contain only single bonds in the carbon chain, with all excess carbon electrons bonded to hydrogen.
- Unsaturated fats do not have all excess carbon electrons bonded to hydrogen.
