Lipids Flashcards
(15 cards)
1
Q
What are lipids?
A
- large biomolecules
- lipids are largely non polar
- largely insoluble in water
- ## hydrophobic interactions cause lipids to group together in water
2
Q
examples of lipids
A
- fats (solid at room temperature)
- oils
- waxes
- phospholipids
- steroids
3
Q
Triglycerides
A
- type of dietary fat
- formed from 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids
- fatty acids and glycerol linked via ester bonds
4
Q
how are triglycerides formed
A
formed through dehydration synthesis
5
Q
how are triglycerides broken down
A
- broken down by hydrolysis
6
Q
saturated fatty acids
A
- form compact, closely packed triglycerides that are solid at room temp
7
Q
un saturated fatty acids
A
- form loosely packed triglycerides due to cis double bonds
- liquid at room temp
8
Q
examples of steroids
A
- cholesterol
- sex hormones
oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone - corticosteroids
9
Q
phospholipids
A
- lipids with a phosphate group (PO4) covalently bonded to the glycerol backbone instead of a fatty acid
10
Q
what is a micelle
A
spherical arrangement of lipid molecules
11
Q
what is the cell membrane
A
- complex structure that physically separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment to confer protection from the surroundings
- also provides a role in anchoring to extracellular structures and other cells required for tissue formation
12
Q
glycolipids
A
- lipids covalently attached to an oligosaccharide
- forms part of cell membrane and glycocalyx
- determines ABO blood group
13
Q
lipoproteins
A
- soluble complexes that transport lipids and synthesized in the liver
14
Q
white and brown adipose tissue
A
- white tissue cushions internal organs like a shock absorber
- white adipose tissue gives insulation, protecting internal organs from temperature changes and reducing heat loss
- brown adipose tissue is useful for generating body heat
15
Q
lipids and insulation
A
- phospholipids form the myelin insulation around nerve fibres
- myelin increases speed or nerve impulses
- Schwann cells produce myelin peripherally, Oligodendrocytes produce myelin centrally
