Lipids & Proteins Flashcards
(9 cards)
What does ‘amphipathic’ refer to?
A molecule that has one end with a polar, water-soluble group and another end with a nonpolar hydrocarbon group that is soluble in water.
What are some typical fatty acids mentioned?
Oleic acid, Stearic acid, Palmitic acid, Linoleic acid, a-Linolenic acid, Arachidonic acid.
What is the typical number of carbon atoms in naturally occurring fatty acids?
Most naturally occurring fatty acids contain even numbers of carbon atoms.
What is the typical structure of double bonds in fatty acids?
Double bonds are nearly always cis and rarely conjugated.
What are the typical naturally occurring saturated fatty acids and their carbon atom numbers?
Lauric (12), Myristic (14), Palmitic (16), Stearic (18), Arachidic (20).
What is the melting point of Palmitic acid?
63 °C.
What is the notation used for fatty acids?
It indicates the number of carbon atoms and the number of double bonds. For example, 18:0 denotes an 18 carbon saturated fatty acid with no double bonds.
What is the shape difference between cis and trans fatty acids?
Cis fatty acids have a kink in the long-chain hydrocarbon tail, whereas trans fatty acids have a shape like that of a saturated fatty acid in its fully extended conformation.
Do fatty acids normally have conjugated double-bond systems?
No, fatty acids do not normally have conjugated double-bond systems.
