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

Procedure for use microbiological laboratory equipment, Define Procedure fo...

Define Procedure for use Microbiological Laboratory Equipments? Now carry out this activity following the steps given herewith: 1. Observe each instrument (as mentioned abov

What is concepts of chromosome, Q. What is the relation between the concept...

Q. What is the relation between the concepts of chromosome and chromatin? Are heterochromatin and euchromatin part of chromosomes? Every filament of chromatin is a complete DNA

How did darwin reach the principle of natural selection, How did Darwin rea...

How did Darwin reach the principle of natural selection from the observation of differences among individuals of the same species? The Darwin recognized that in a same species

Illustrate the functional properties of proteins, Functional properties of ...

Functional properties of protiens Immunoproteins such as C-reactive protein, Opsonin Immunoglobulins, Contractile respiratory, structural, enzymatic,

Define sample titration for estimation of reducing sugar, Define Sample Tit...

Define Sample Titration for Fehling Soxhlet Method Dilute the given sample glucose solution in 100 ml volumetric flask to the mark with distilled water. Pipette 5 ml of Fehling

Explain the acoelomates - animals without a body cavity, Explain the Acoelo...

Explain the Acoelomates - Animals without a Body Cavity? The simplest group of animals that has bilateral symmetry and a solid body (acoelomate) is the Platyhelminthes. Phy

Explain seed gums, Seed gums Polysaccharides derived from plants and se...

Seed gums Polysaccharides derived from plants and seeds have been in use for thousand of years. Seed gums are a group of polysaccharides with the following properties: S

Find if the sugar is a d- or l- stereoisomer, If carbon 1 is the carbonyl g...

If carbon 1 is the carbonyl group of a 6-carbon aldose (aldohexose), which carbon determines if the sugar is a D- or L- stereoisomer? Select one: a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4

Explain the technology of transgenic plant, Explain the technology in which...

Explain the technology in which transgenic plant was constructed in which seeds that will produce plants for a single crop.

Tropical rain forests - ecosystem, Tropical rain forests - Ecosystem T...

Tropical rain forests - Ecosystem Tropical rain forests occur near the equator. Tropical rain forests are among the most diverse communities on the earth. Both temperature and

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