Chapter 17- CHEM 1152k

Lipids

Biomolecules that contain fatty acids or a steroid nucleus; soluble in organic solvents but not in water.

Triacylglycerols

Esters of glycerol and fatty acids; major form of energy storage in animals.

Glycerophospholipids

Lipids containing glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group; a key component of cell membranes.

Steroids

Lipids characterized by a structure of four fused carbon rings; do not contain fatty acids.

Fatty Acids

Long unbranched carbon chains with a carboxylic acid group at one end; classified as saturated or unsaturated.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that contain only single bonds in the carbon chain.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids containing double bonds in the carbon chain; can be mono- or polyunsaturated.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet; include linoleic and linolenic acids.

Prostaglandins

Hormone-like substances produced in small amounts in most cells, involved in various bodily functions.

Hydrogenation

Chemical reaction that adds hydrogen to unsaturated fatty acids, converting them into saturated fats.

Saponification

Reaction of a fat with a strong base to produce glycerol and soap (salts of fatty acids).

Phospholipids

Type of lipid similar to triacylglycerols, includes glycerophospholipids and sphingomyelin; key component of cell membranes.

Lipoproteins

Molecules that transport lipids in the blood, consisting of lipids surrounded by proteins.

Cholesterol

A type of steroid that is essential for cell membranes, and is obtained from dietary sources.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Unsaturated fatty acids with the first double bond occurring at the third carbon from the methyl end; beneficial for heart health.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Unsaturated fatty acids with the first double bond occurring at the sixth carbon from the methyl end.

Cell Membranes

Semipermeable membranes consisting of a lipid bilayer, allowing substances to enter and leave the cell.

Fluid Mosaic Model

Model describing the cell membrane as a dynamic structure with embedded proteins and cholesterol in a lipid bilayer.

What are lipids?

Biomolecules that contain fatty acids or a steroid nucleus; soluble in organic solvents but not in water.

What are triacylglycerols?

Esters of glycerol and fatty acids; major form of energy storage in animals.

What do glycerophospholipids consist of?

Lipids containing glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group; crucial for cell membranes.

What defines steroids?

Lipids characterized by four fused carbon rings; they do not contain fatty acids.

What are fatty acids?

Long unbranched carbon chains with a carboxylic acid group; they are classified as saturated or unsaturated.

What are saturated fatty acids?

Fatty acids that contain only single bonds in the carbon chain.

What are unsaturated fatty acids?

Fatty acids containing one or more double bonds in the carbon chain; includes mono- and polyunsaturated.

What are essential fatty acids?

Fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from diet; examples include linoleic and linolenic acids.

What role do prostaglandins play?

Hormone-like substances produced in small amounts in most cells, involved in various bodily functions.

What is hydrogenation?

A chemical reaction that adds hydrogen to unsaturated fatty acids, converting them into saturated fats.