chapter 6 - lipids

what molecules do a lipid form

triglycerides, phospholipids, and steriods

what are triglycerides

they include three fatty acids and glycerol and they are nonpolar (hydrophobic)

what are phospholipids

it is the structured foundation of all membranes. they include two fatty acids, glycerol, and a phosphate group. they include a polar end which is a hydrophilic phosphate head and a nonpolar end, which is a hydrophobic tail

what are steriods

they have a four ring structure that acts like hormones to send signals to the body. examples are estrogen, testosterone, and cholesterol

what is a glycerol

it is the head which is a small backbone molecule

what is a fatty acid

it is the tail which are long hydrocarbon chains

what is a saturated fat

they do not have double bonds, they are a straight shape so they are packed tightly, and they are solid at room temp

what is an unsaturated fat

they have one or two more bonds so there is a kink which means they are not packed tightly, and they are liquid at room temp

what is the permeability of a saturated fat

since it is packed tighter there is less fluid and it is less permeable since it is harder for things to pass through

what is the permeability of an unsaturated fat

since there are kinks and it isn’t packed tight there are more fluid and it is more permeable so it is easier for things to pass through

what are lipids

they are the long term energy source