Lipids test 2 Flashcards
What is stearic acid? Give the shorthand nomenclature of this compound and draw the structural formula. Next, describe properties of this compound, indicate to which group of compounds does it belong and in which dietary products it is formed.
Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid with an 18 carbon chain. Long carbon chain
C18:0 / C18:0
Compound Group: Long chain fatty acid
Dietary Products: Dairy Products and Ruminant Meat
Properties:
Insoluble in water
Saturated acid
18 long carbon chain
Long chain fatty acid
What are eicosanoids and what is their function? Give at least one example
Eicosanoids constitute a large group of biologically active compound. Compared to hormones in terms of their actions, eicosanoids differ from hormones; they are produced in very small amounts in almost all tissues rather than in specialized glands. They act locally rather than after transport in the blood to distant sites, as occurs with hormones.
OR
They are lipid based signalling molecules for innate immune responses
Function: Pro-inflammatory properties
Example: Prostaglandins, Thromboxanes, Leukotrienes and Arachidonic
Which fatty acid is presented by this shorthand nomenclature: C18:1 (n-9)? Draw the structural formula of this compound and indicate the dietary products that contain this fatty acid.
Oleic acid
Olive Oil, Meat, Cheese, Milk, Nuts, Sunflower seeds, Pasta
What are waxes? Describe the structure and properties of these compounds and give at least one example that can be produced by animals.
Waxes are esters of higher alcohols or sterols and higher fatty acids.
Natural waxes play a protective role in nature, they are heterogeneous substances, which additionally contain small amounts of free fatty acids, alcohols, sterol esters and sugars.
Lipophilic
Long chain nonpolar lipid
Examples:
Sheep – Produce from the skin and found in their wool (Sheep wool grease)
Bees – Bees Wax
Sperm Whales – Spermaceti
Which fatty acid is presented by this shorthand nomenclature: C18:2 (n-6)? Draw the structural formula of this compound and describe its role in animal organisms.
Linoleic acid
Used to make arachidonic acid, a fatty acid essential for the synthesis of various hormones
