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What is the primary function of triglycerides
Triglycerides are used to store energy in animals, plants, and some bacteria.
What is the structure of a triglyceride?
A triglyceride consists of a glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acid tails.
What are the characteristics of triglycerides that make them good stores of energy?
Long hydrocarbon tails
Low mass to energy ratio
Insoluble
High ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms
How are triglycerides synthesised?
Triglycerides are synthesised via condensation reactions.
The hydroxyl groups (OH) on the glycerol and on 3 fatty acids react to release 3 water molecules and form 3 ester bonds.
How are triglycerides broken down?
Triglycerides are broken down via hydrolysis reactions.
The addition of 3 water molecules breaks the ester bonds to separate the glycerol and fatty acids.
What are the components of a phospholipid?
Phospholipids consist of glycerol, phosphate, and 2 fatty acid tails.
Why are phospholipids described as being polar?
The head is hydrophilic and the fatty acid tails are hydrophobic.
How do phospholipids arrange themselves in water?
Into a double layer (bilayer) with hydrophilic heads facing out and hydrophobic tails facing in.
What is the function of cholesterol in the cell membrane?
To increase stability and reduce fluidity.
Which molecules can cholesterol be used to make?
Cholesterol can be used to make vitamin D, steroid hormones, and bile.
What are the similarities between triglycerides and phospholipids?
Both contain glycerol, fatty acid tails, and ester bonds
Both are insoluble in water
Both contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
What are the differences between triglycerides and phospholipids?
Phospholipids contain phosphate
Phospholipids contain 2 fatty acids, triglycerides contain 3 fatty acids
Phospholipids are polar, triglycerides are non-polar
Phospholipids form bilayers in water, triglycerides do not