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

Nomenclature, who proposed the trinominal nomenclature

who proposed the trinominal nomenclature

Determine the atp-sensitive potassium channel, ATP-sensitive potassium chan...

ATP-sensitive potassium channel A. The channel is a spanning protein with a receptor site for ATP located on an intracellular region of the protein. B. When blood plasma lev

Genetics, 5. Maple syrup urine disease is a rare inborn error of metabolism...

5. Maple syrup urine disease is a rare inborn error of metabolism. It derives its name from the odor of the urine of affected individuals. If untreated, affected children die soon

Why are trees green, Why are trees green? It is because leaves have chl...

Why are trees green? It is because leaves have chloroplasts, which have a green pigment, which also have chlorophyll in them. They are used for conducting photosynthesis, which

Anaphase, Anaphase This  phase is of shortest duration. It  begins  wit...

Anaphase This  phase is of shortest duration. It  begins  with  a sudden  separation  of the two chromatids of each   due  to splitting   of its centromere and  then a slow mov

Are the arteries constituted of more muscle tissue, Q. Are the veins or the...

Q. Are the veins or the arteries constituted of more muscle tissue? How different are the walls of these two kinds of blood vessels? The arterial system has thicker muscle wall

Diffusion of gases, Diffusion of Gases Gases diffuse from areas of hi...

Diffusion of Gases Gases diffuse from areas of higher partial pressure to areas of lower partial pressure. The diffusion along the partial pressure gradient ceases only when

The cell membrane or plasma membrane ruptures, What happens when the cell m...

What happens when the cell membrane or plasma membrane ruptures or breaks down? When cell membrane ruptures Ions leek out and if not repaired in time the cell will die. As we k

Eyes, Are dogs colour blind

Are dogs colour blind

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