Fats and lipids, Biology

Assignment Help:

 

  • Composed of C, H and O (fewer polar OH bonds than carbohydrates)
  • Can be used at energy storage, components of cell membranes, chemical signals & thermal insulation
    • Are a more efficient energy source then carbohydrates
  • 4 families à fats (triglycerides), phospholipids, steroids & waxes

Triglycerides

                                                                                                        2331_fats and lipids.png

Triglycerides - An ester of 3 fatty acids + a glycerol molecule
Glycerol - a 3 carbon alcohol with 3 hydroxyl groups
Fatty Acid - a long-chain carboxylic acid

  • Fatty acids can be saturated of unsaturated and usually even numbered (16 or 18)
    • Saturated -> In animals                                                                                                                                                 Long straight chains and can rotate freely on the glycerol backbone

                      Can be packed tightly together à solids

               o  Unsaturated ->in plants

                        Cannot rotate freely and have kinks in their chain (due to 'cis' & 'trans' shapes from the double bond)

                        Cannot be packed closer together à liquids

Phospholipids

  • Glycerol + 2 fatty acids
  • Has hydrophobic tails and a hydrophilic head

Steroids

  • Hydrophobic molecules with 4 fused hydrocarbon rings (e.g. cholesterol, vitamin D, bile salts)

Waxes

  • Lipids containing long chain fatty acids linked to alcohols or carbon rings
  • Hydrophobic

 


Related Discussions:- Fats and lipids

Admission information - nursing, Admission Information   The physician ...

Admission Information   The physician and nurses are the primary source of facts concerning the purpose of therapeutic plan and expected outcome of hospitalization. The informa

Explain the absorption of protein, Explain the Absorption of Protein? A...

Explain the Absorption of Protein? Although single amino acids are liberated in the intestinal contents, there is insufficient power in the enzymes of the pancreatic juice to r

Y-linked traits in humans, Y-Linked traits in humans Any gene that occu...

Y-Linked traits in humans Any gene that occurs exclusively on the Y chromosome is said to be holandric and it is not expressed in females. Such a Y-linked gene normally occurs

What is composition, What is Composition? Blood consists of red blood c...

What is Composition? Blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, suspended in a straw-colored liquid called plasma. If whole blood is centrifuged, abou

Blood plasma - circulation, Blood Plasma - Circulation Centrifugation...

Blood Plasma - Circulation Centrifugation of blood results in its separation into two portions - a packed mass of cells which constitute around 45 per cent of the volume of t

Define three major steps for study of genetic family tree, What are the thr...

What are the three major steps for a good study of a genetic family tree? Step 1: Determine whether the studied phenotypical form has a dominant or the recessive pattern. Step

Determine the postovulatory phase of x menstrual cycle, Healthy human femal...

Healthy human female X is 25 years old and not pregnant.  During the postovulatory phase of X's menstrual cycle,   A.  there are high blood plasma levels of LH and FSH.

Injury resulting from an accident, Injury Resulting From an Accident ...

Injury Resulting From an Accident Accident was described earlier which meant that accident was a sudden event. However, several legal opinions favored exclusion of suddenness

How to investigate aortic stenosis by electrocardiogram, Q. How to investig...

Q. How to investigate aortic stenosis by Electrocardiogram? Typically left ventricular hypertrophy with strain pattern is seen in severe aortic stenosis. Total QRS amplitude in

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd