Biological Macromolecules Lipids

What is a lipid function, made up of, contain, and type of lipids.

• Functions: energy storage, structural and signaling

• Contain carbon, hydrogen and a small % of oxygen

  • Carbon + hydrogen = Hydrocarbon (nonpolar = will not dissolve in water)

  • Most lipids are insoluble in water because of hydrocarbon

• Type of lipids

  • Fats(fatty acids)

  • Steroids

  • Phospholipids

What is a Fatty Acids? What are the two type of fatty acids?

long chains of carbons atoms with attached hydrogens (hydrocarbon) chain and end with a carboxyl group (-COOH)

• Saturated

• Unsaturated

What is saturated fatty acids?

no double bonds between carbons, solid at room temp (ex: butter)

What is an unsaturated fatty acids? Describe the two type of unsaturated fatty acids.

• double bonds between carbons, liquid at room temp

  • Monounsaturated - one double bond

  • Polyunsaturated - more than one double bond

Describe Phospholipids. Characteristic, made up of.

• Consist of a glycerol, phosphate group, & two fatty acid tails

• Head is hydrophilic (loves water), water soluble

• Tails are hydrophobic (hates water), water insoluble

• Makes up cellular membranes