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

Diagnosis of meningitis, Diagnosis Lumbar puncture is done which shows...

Diagnosis Lumbar puncture is done which shows cloudy CSF with increased pressure, the white cell count predominantly contains neutrophils. CSF proteins are increased but sug

Define the chemical equation of the formation of bicarbonate, Q. What is th...

Q. What is the chemical equation of the formation of bicarbonate from water and carbon dioxide? What is the enzyme that catalyzes this reaction? The chemical equation of the ch

Observations reveal about mechanisms of sex determination, XYY humans are f...

XYY humans are fertile males. XXX humans are fertile females. What do these observations reveal about the mechanisms of sex determination and dosage compensation?

Determine the types of symbols used in soil horizons, Determine the types o...

Determine the types of symbols used in Soil Horizons  Three kinds of symbols are used in various combinations to designate horizons. These are capital letters, lower case lett

Fixism what are the main arguments that favor evolutionism, In the scientif...

In the scientific competition against fixism what are the main arguments that favor evolutionism? The major arguments in favor of evolutionism are paleontological, from the stu

Why isnt the cooking of vitamin c-containing foods, Why isn't the cooking o...

Why isn't the cooking of vitamin C-containing foods appropriate for vitamin C supply? To obtain vitamin C, for example, from an orange dessert, the vitamin-containing food cann

Bque, what is working of heart

what is working of heart

Characterstics of cleavage, CHARACTERSTICS OF CLEAVAGE - In cleavage...

CHARACTERSTICS OF CLEAVAGE - In cleavage involve the series of mitotic division, so daughter cells are genetically similar to the parental cell. The resulting cells are c

Problem of potency of blastema cells, Problem of Potency of Blastema Cells ...

Problem of Potency of Blastema Cells The local cells are accountable for regeneration. Now you could ask which of the blastema cells differentiated into which type of limb ti

Define precaution for estimation of vitamin c in lemon juice, Define precau...

Define precaution for estimation of vitamin c in lemon juice? 1. Rinse all glassware with 3% metaphosphoric acid before you begin your practical and subsequently each time you

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