Module 8 Flashcards
(39 cards)
Fatty Acids
Hydrocarbon tails with Carboxylic head
Differ in length and degree of saturation
Usually even number of C’s (12-24)
Saturated
No double bonds
Unsaturated
One double Bond
Polyunsaturated
Multiple Double bonds
Double bonds are usually in
Cis Configuration
Double bonds are separated by
Methylene Group
Fatty Acid Structure
Hydrocarbon tails of fatty acids associate through hydrophobic and Can Der Waals Interactions
Longer chains have stronger associations than short chains
Saturated chains have stronger associations than unsaturated
Longer they are
The more they are likely to make a solid structure
Double bonds
Lower melting points
Fats and Oils as Energy Storage Molecules
Lipids represent critical energy storage molecules for plants and animals
Triacylglycerols
Fatty acids required for energy
Storage lipids in animals and plants
Simple Triacylglycerols have the same 3 fatty acids at each position, complex triacylglycerols have different fatty acids
Ester linkage removes the polar carboxyl group to make a more hydrophobic molecule
longer chains
Solid (Saturated)
more double bonds
Liquid
Why are fats good at storage
Low oxidation state
Low hydration State
Low oxidation state
Less oxygenated fuels burn more efficeintly; triacylglycerols have lower oxygenation state than carbohydrates
Low hydration state
lipids are hydrophobic with limited interaction with water providing a more compact dehydrated energy storage form
Saponification
Treatment of fat with a strong base breaks the ester linkages to release free fatty acids
The amphipathic properties of free fatty acids make them effective in solubilization of hydrophobic substances
Waxes
Esters of long chain fatty acids and long chain alcohols
Waxes are very insoluble and have high melting temps (60-100 degrees)
They are widely distributed in nature as protective waterproof coatings on leaves, fruits, animal skin and feathers
Glycerophospholipids
Most Abundant lipids in membranes
Glycerol backbone with a phosphate at the C 3 position
The phosphate group is the point of attachment for a variety of polar head groups
Head groups
All groups are polar
Different head groups have different functions
Galctolipipds and Sulfolipids
Phosphate availability is often limiting to plants
Plants use sugar and sulphate polar head groups
Plants often use Galactiolipids
One or two Galactose groups linked to C3 of diacylglycerol
Sphingolipids
long chain amino alcohol
Single fatty acid linked by amide bond to form ceramide
Structurally ceramide is similar to diacylglycerol
Sphingomyclins
Phosphocholine
Cerebrosides
Glycosphingolipid
Single sugar unit