Membranes Flashcards
What are lipids?
Hydrophobic (water insoluble) molecules composed mostly of carbon and hydrogen atoms (hydrocarbons)
What are the three biological lipids
- Tryglycerides
- Phospholipids
- Sterals
What are fatty acids?
Hydrocarbons with a carboxyl group at one end, they vary in number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain (14 - 24)
What is in the presence of fatty acids?
- Carbon carbon double bonds
What type of fatty acid has a carbon double bond?
Unsaturated fatty acids have a carbon double bond. Saturated fatty acids don’t
What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
we will find out
What are tryglycerides?
Long term energy storage molecules. It has 3 fatty acid tails that are bound to a glycerol anchor
What are phospholipids?
An organic molecule with phosphate and two fatty acid tails
What do phospholipids spontaneously form?
They form bilayers in water
