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

Explain demography and demographic transition, Explain Demography, Demograp...

Explain Demography, Demographic Transition and Demographic Cycle We know that population of different countries in the world is always changing. For some countries like India a

Evaluation of osseointegration, Q. Evaluation of osseointegration? All ...

Q. Evaluation of osseointegration? All the parameters of proper implant selection, atraumatic sequential osteotomy preparation and the attainment of primary stability are focus

Explain how is cancer related to ras, Can someone explain how is cancer rel...

Can someone explain how is cancer related to ras and p53 gene? I know that the ras protein regulate cell growth and its mutation will cause cancer. How is the mutation caused?

How would you confirm this disease, Question 1 A patient is admitted to th...

Question 1 A patient is admitted to the hospital with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. How would you confirm this disease? Answer the following questions                   a)

How to know what i already paid, I know the answer to the question but when...

I know the answer to the question but when I selected buy it said $80, now I want to know if it is $80 more or if you will subtract what I already paid to $80 and therefore will on

Cnidaria and platyhelminthes - larval forms, Cnidaria and Platyhelminthes -...

Cnidaria and Platyhelminthes - Larval forms Cnidaria The common larval stage that is found in cnidarians is the planula which forms following gastrulation. The planula is

Plant, what is the scientific explanation of "touch me not" plant that can ...

what is the scientific explanation of "touch me not" plant that can react due to any touch

How are triglycerides made, How are triglycerides made? Triglycerides, ...

How are triglycerides made? Triglycerides, fats or oils, are made of three molecules of fatty acids bound to single molecule of glycerol. Hydroxyls of each one of the three fat

Genomic blot, Genomic blot is the type of Southern blot particularly used ...

Genomic blot is the type of Southern blot particularly used to analyze the mixture of DNA fragments derived from total genomic DNA. Because the genomic DNA is quite complicated, w

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