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 about the mucor - fungi, Explain about the Mucor  - Fungi? Muc...

Explain about the Mucor  - Fungi? Mucor is present as a food contaminant. It resembles Rhizopus in life history and colonies appear just like Rhizopus. However, important diffe

What is total amount of both reactants and products decrease, In Chemical R...

In Chemical Reactions that have a large negative /\Go' a- the total amount of both reactants and products decreases b- the products are less stable than the reactants c- t

Explain anterior pituitary gland secretes hormones, Explain anterior pituit...

Explain anterior pituitary gland secretes hormones The anterior pituitary gland secretes hormones that elevate  the blood glucose and therefore antagonize the action of glucose

Explain some features of aspergillus, Explain some Features of Aspergillus?...

Explain some Features of Aspergillus? The identifying features include: 1. Macroscopically Aspergillus colonies are powdery and are of different colours like green, blue, bl

Which are mineral salts, Q. Which are mineral salts? Where in living beings...

Q. Which are mineral salts? Where in living beings can found mineral salts? Mineral salts are simple inorganic substances made of metallic chemical elements, like sodium, iron,

Explain the storage of vitamin e, Explain the Storage of Vitamin E? Vi...

Explain the Storage of Vitamin E? Vitamin E is mainly stored in muscles and adipose tissue. Vitamin E content of erythrocytes is about 20 percent of that in plasma and there i

Define in brief about the biomolecules, Define in brief about the biomolecu...

Define in brief about the biomolecules Some of the biomolecules, also known as compounds of life, form part of the structure of cell, and some of these are sources of energy fo

Taxonomy, Write two cytological approaches in taxonomy.

Write two cytological approaches in taxonomy.

Explain the completed test - most probable number test, Explain the Complet...

Explain the Completed Test - Most Probable Number Test? Coliform colonies on EMB or Endo agar are further examined by completed test by inoculating lactose broth and nutrient a

Describe the two kind of fermentation, Q. What are the two kind of fermenta...

Q. What are the two kind of fermentation? What are their complete chemical equations? The two major types of fermentation are alcoholic fermentation and lactic fermentation.

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