lipids Flashcards
(29 cards)
11 functions of lipids
energy source, water source, energy store , thermal insulation, stores fat soluble vitamins, buoyancy, cushioning , membrame formation , hormone production , waterproofing
Function of lipids
buoyancy explanation
- fat is less dense than water
- used by aquatic mammals to help them stay afloat
Function of lipids
cushioning explanation
- visceral fat protects organs
- acts as a shock absorber
Function of lipids
membrane formation explanation
- creation of hydrophobic barriers
- eg. lipid rich coat formed on bacteria
Function of lipids
Electrical insulation explanation
- for impulse transmission
- eg. lipid in nerve cells acts as an electrical insulator
Function of lipids
Waterproofing explanation
- eg birds feathers and plants waxy cuticle.
- form of protection for plant / animal
Function of lipids
energy source explanation
- can be used in respiration
- twice as much energy released per gram as carbohydrates
- done by hydrolysing the ester bonds, then the glycerol and the fatty acids can be broken down completely.
Function of lipids
water source explanation
water is yielded from respiration
Function of lipids
thermal insulation explanation
- eg, whale blubber, acts as a heat insulator
- Animals preparing fro hibernation store extra fat
Function of lipids
storing fat soluble vitamins explanation
adipose tissues stores vitamins ADE and K
made up of elements
what ratio
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
1:2:<1
What state are fats at room temp?
solids
what state are oils at room temp
liquids
what type of molecules are lipids
- macro molecules
- complex molecules with a relatively large molecular mass
- do not form polymers as they are not monomers
what is the distribution of electrons in lipids
even distribution of electrons, so lipids are not polar
What is lipids solubility
- insoluble in water because they do not attract water molecules
- do dissolve in alcohol
Triglyceride structure
made by combining one glycerol molecule to three fatty acids
What is the structure of glycerol
look up
What is the structure of fatty acids
look up
What group is glycerol part of
- alcohol group
- acts as backbone of the macro molecule
What group are fatty acids
- part of carboxylic acids due to carboxyl group (COOH) with a hydrocarbon chain attached
Formation of triglycerides
- The hydroxyl groups interact leading to the formation of three water molecules and three ester bonds between the fatty acids and glycerol molecules
- condensation reaction
saturated fats, bonding and structure
- no double carbon bonds
- all carbons have formed the max amount of bonds (4) with hydrogen
- straight chain is produced
- fatty acid chains can be packed closely together
unsaturated fats, bonding and structure
- double bonds between one or more carbon
- only one double carbon bond - monounsaturated
- two or more double carbon bonds - polyunsaturated
- double bonds causes kinks/ bends
- fatty cannot be packed densely together