Biological Molecules: Lipids: Basics (DR.A) Flashcards
What is GLYCEROL?
-3 CARBON ALCOHOL
-Forms the BACKBONE in TRIGLYCERIDES and PHOSPHOLIPIDS
-Important for STRUCTURE of LIPIDS and ENERGY STORES
What is meant by the term HYDROPHILLIC?
SECTION of a MOLECULE that is ATTRACTED to WATER
What is meant by the term HYDROPHOBIC?
SECTION of a MOLECULE that REPELS WATER
What is a LIPID? Give some examples
-A class of ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
-INSOLUBLE in WATER (NON-POLAR + HYDROPHOBIC)
-Includes: TRYGLYCERIDES, PHOSPHOLIPIDS, WAXES, and STEROIDS
What is a MONO-UNSATURATED FATTY ACID?
FATTY ACIDS which possesses a CARBON CHAIN with a SINGLE DOUBLE BOND between CARBON ATOMS
What is a PHOSPHOLIPID?
-A TRYCLYCIERIDE in which ONE of the 3 FATTY ACIDS is REPLACED by a PHOSPHATE MOLECULE
–>Also has a PHOSPHATE BOND
-Important for STRUCTURE in FUNCTIONING PLASMA MEMBRANES
What is a POLY-UNSATURATED FATTY ACID?
A FATTY ACID in which there are 2 OR MORE DOUBLE BONDS between CARBON ATOMS
What is a TRIGLYCERIDE?
-An individual LIPID MOLECULE made up of a GLYCEROL MOLEUCULE and 3 FATTY ACIDS
-Contains ESTER BONDS
Are LIPIDS POLYMERS?
No, BUT they are still ORGANIC MOLECULES as they CONTAIN HYDROGEN+CARBON
What are some of the USES of LIPIDS?
-Source of ENERGY
-Help INSULATE ORGANISMS
-Acts as a WATERPROOFING
-Form MEMBRANES and HORMONES
What are some examples of TRIGLYCERIDES?
FATS (ANIMALS)- STRAIGHT CHAIN
OILS (PLANTS)- KINKED CHAIN
What are some examples of PHOSPHOLIPIDS?
PHOSPHOLIPID BILAYER
CELL MEMBRANE
How many WATER MOLECULES is needed to break down a TRIGLYCERIDE?
3 WATER MOLECULES as there are 3 ESTER BONDS
What is the DIFFERENCE between SATURATED and UNSATURATED FATS?
UNSATURATED FATS have a DOUBLE CARBON BOND, SATURATED FATS DO NOT
UNSATURATED FATS form BENT CHAINS, SATURATED FATS form LONG STRAIGHT CHAINS
