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

Food might become contaminated by harmful bacteria, Three ways in which foo...

Three ways in which food might become contaminated by harmful bacteria. Food may become contaminated:- (i) from the unwashed hands of a food-handler, (ii) by house- flies

Spermatocytogenesis, SPERM A T OCY T OGENESIS In this process four...

SPERM A T OCY T OGENESIS In this process four spermatid develop from one PGC. (i) Multiplication phase The spermotogonia or sperm mother cells lie next to the b

Explain the phylum molluska - mollusks, Explain the Phylum Molluska - Mollu...

Explain the Phylum Molluska - Mollusks? You are probably very familiar with members of this phylum. The mollusks include the octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, scallops, oysters, c

Explain the absorption, Explain the Absorption, Storage and Elimination of ...

Explain the Absorption, Storage and Elimination of Folate? Folic acid is readily absorbed from the small intestines through the portal vein and  passed onto the tissues throug

How many cells are in the average human brain, How many cells are in the av...

How many cells are in the average human brain? Roughly, 6 trillion are in the average human brain.

Suction force of the plant cell, What is meant by suction force of the plan...

What is meant by suction force of the plant cell? Does the suction force facilitate or make difficult the entrance of water in the cell? Ans) The suction force (SF) is the osmot

Precaution - separation of amino acid by paper chromatogrphy, Define Precau...

Define Precaution for Separation of Amino Acids by Paper Chromatography? 1. Hold the paper with the extra strip kept at one side. Handling of whatman paper with hand should be

What is pupillary reflexes, Pupillary reflexes There are two types of r...

Pupillary reflexes There are two types of reflexes which control the pupillary reaction-the light reflex and near reflex. When light is shown on one eye, there is a constrictio

Planting bacteria gardens, Planting bacteria gardens When the bacteria ...

Planting bacteria gardens When the bacteria gardens have cooled place them out on the table but do not increase the glass covers unless you are ready to plant them. Toothpicks

Classification of pollution sources, The man-made sources of air pollution ...

The man-made sources of air pollution are broadly categorized into three: Point or stationary sources:  it includes such sources which pollute at particular. Pollutants from

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