Triglyceride function Flashcards
What are triglycerides function
energy storage
insulation
protection
buoyancy
How is triglyceride good for energy production
The long hydrocarbon chains contain many carbon-hydrogen bonds with little oxygen atoms (triglycerides are highly reduced)
So when triglycerides are oxidised during cellular respiration this causes these bonds to break releasing lots of energy(due to so much being stored in molecule) used to produce ATP
Triglycerides store more energy than what other bio molecule and also have a low……..
Triglycerides therefore store more energy per gram than carbohydrates and proteins (37kJ compared to 17kJ)
low mass a lot can be stored without increasing mass and reventing movement
As triglycerides are hydrophobic, large (insoluble in water; repelling water) they do not cause
no osmotic water uptake in cells so more can be stored
dont effect water potential
How do plants store triglyceride
Plants store triglycerides, in the form of oils, in their seeds and fruits. If extracted from seeds and fruits these are generally liquid at room temperature due to the presence of double bonds which add kinks to the fatty acid chains altering their properties
how do animals store triglyceride
Mammals store triglycerides as oil droplets in adipose tissue to help them survive when food is scarce (e.g. hibernating bears)
The oxidation of the carbon-hydrogen bonds releases large numbers of ……………………… (metabolic water) during cellular respiration
which helps with what
water molecules
Desert animals retain this water if there is no liquid water to drink
Bird and reptile embryos in their shells also use this water
why is triglyceride good for buoyancy
The low density of fat tissue increases the ability of animals to float more easily
Why is triglyceride good for protection
The adipose tissue in mammals contains stored triglycerides and this tissue helps protect organs from the risk of damage
How is triglyceride good for insulation
Triglycerides are part of the composition of the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibres
This provides insulation which increases the speed of transmission of nerve impulses
Triglycerides compose part of the adipose tissue layer below the skin which acts as insulation against heat loss (eg. blubber of whales)
