Fatty acids, Biology

Assignment Help:

FATTY ACIDS

  1. They are monocarboxylic organic acids (R.COOH) having a hydrocarbon chain of 4 - 30 carbon atoms.
  2. The polar carboxylic group is hydrophilic (Gk. hydro - water, phillic - to love) or water soluble.
  3. The remaining part of fatty acid, that is hydrocarbon chain is however nonpolar, hydrophobic (Gk. hydro - water, phobes- fear) or water insoluble.
  4. It is soluble in fat solvents and is, therefore, lipophilic.
  5. Substances like fatty acids which have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components are called amphipathic.
  6. Fatty acids reduce surface tension of water; increase its wetting power and hence capacity to clean. Soap action in due to this phenomenon.
  7. Depending upon the absence or presence of double bonds, fatty acids are of two types-

(i) Saturated                    (ii) Unsaturated


Related Discussions:- Fatty acids

Explain the class reptilia perform gas, Do beings of the class Reptilia per...

Do beings of the class Reptilia perform gas exchange in the same way amphibians do? These beings do not have permeable skin so they do not make cutaneous respiration such as a

Floriculture, Floriculture: This is the cultivation and development of com...

Floriculture: This is the cultivation and development of commercially important floral plants like rose, lilies, etc. Floriculture is called flower farming is a discipline of hort

What are the lateral lines of fishes, What are the lateral lines of fishes?...

What are the lateral lines of fishes? The lateral lines of bony fishes are sense organs that extend along both sides of the animal body. They make contact with the environment

What are tannins, What are Tannins? Long known for their inhibitory eff...

What are Tannins? Long known for their inhibitory effects on iron absorption, recent research indicates that tannins do have beneficial effects. Tannins are compounds of high m

Nuclear run-on, Nuclear run-on is a technique used to estimate the relativ...

Nuclear run-on is a technique used to estimate the relative rate of the transcription of a given gene, as opposed to steady-state level of the mRNA transcript (which is influenced

Pollutions, what is detergent pollution and it''s effects and causes

what is detergent pollution and it''s effects and causes

How were the classification systems of aristotle, How were the classificati...

How were the classification systems of Aristotle and Linnaeus similar?  Both systems divided all living things into two major groups, animals and plants, but Aristotle's system

Buffalo-pox, Buffalo-pox The disease is caused by an orthopox virus, c...

Buffalo-pox The disease is caused by an orthopox virus, closely related to the vaccinia virus. It is not clear whether it should be considered a separate virus or not. By RE m

Poop, Where does poop come from?

Where does poop come 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