lipids Flashcards
what are the function of lipids (basic)?
energy source/store
protection of organs
waterproofing
thermal/electrical insulation
component in cell membranes
what elements are in lipids?
carbon
hydrogen
oxygen
what are the properties of lipids (water)?
non-polar (insoluble in water) but dissolve in non-polar organic substances
what are triglycerides made of?
glycerol
3 fatty acids
what bond is in a triglyceride?
ester bond (between glycerol and hydrocarbon chain)
what happens during the formation of a triglyceride?
condensation reaction
ester bond is formed
3 waters are made as water molecules are removed
what are saturated fatty acids?
all C atoms are joined by single bonds
all C atoms are linked to the maximum possible number of H atoms
what are the properties of saturated fatty acids?
form straight lines
high melting point
molecules align readily so solid
what are unsaturated fatty acids?
they have C double bonds
what are the properties of unsaturated fatty acids?
form bent chains
low melting point
molecules can’t align readily so don’t solidify
what are fatty acids with more than one double bond called?
mono-unsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids
what are waxes?
lipids that melt at about 45 degrees C
what are the function of waxes?
animals - insect exoskeleton
plants - leaf waxy cuticle and waterproofing
what are lipoproteins?
complexes of lipids and proteins which occur in blood as plasma
what are LDLs?
low-density lipoproteins