Triacylglycerols

Question 1

What do triacylglycerol molecules store?

Answer 1

Energy

Triacylglycerols are dense storages of energy due to long chains of carbon and hydrogen.

Question 2

Why are triacylglycerol molecules dense storages of energy?

Answer 2

They have long chains of carbon and hydrogen in the form of fatty acid chains

This structure allows for significant energy storage.

Question 3

How do triacylglycerols assist camels and bears?

Answer 3

They permit camels to store water in the form of fat and bears to hibernate

Large deposits of triacylglycerols provide essential energy reserves.

Question 4

What additional function do triacylglycerols provide?

Answer 4

Insulation by trapping heat

This property is critical for maintaining body temperature in various organisms.

Question 5

What serves as the backbone of the triacylglycerol structure?

Answer 5

Glycerol

Glycerol is attached to three fatty acids via an acyl linkage.

Question 6

What type of linkage attaches fatty acids to glycerol in triacylglycerols?

Answer 6

Acyl (-O-CO-) linkage

This linkage is crucial for forming a complete triacylglycerol molecule.

Question 7

What is a characteristic of the fatty acids in a triacylglycerol molecule?

Answer 7

They can be of different lengths and may contain double bonds

The specific composition affects the properties of the triacylglycerol.

Question 8

What effect do unsaturated fatty acid chains have on triacylglycerols?

Answer 8

They make the triacylglycerol more liquid-like or oily

This is due to the double bonds causing bends in the chains.

Question 9

What happens when all three fatty acid chains in a triacylglycerol are saturated?

Answer 9

The molecules pack together well, forming a solid

Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature.

Question 10

What is the physical state of a triacylglycerol at room temperature if it is liquid?

Answer 10

Oil

Oils are defined based on their liquid state at 25°C.

Question 11

What is the physical state of a triacylglycerol at room temperature if it is solid?

Answer 11

Fat

Fats are defined based on their solid state at room temperature.

Question 12

What determines the physical properties of a triacylglycerol molecule?

Answer 12

The number and type of fatty acids

Variations in fatty acids affect how the triacylglycerol behaves physically.