CH2 CHEM PT 5 - FATS -Triglycerides, Phospholipids, Steroids, and Eicosanoids

Vocabulary flashcards covering fats including triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, eicosanoids, and related concepts.

Glycerol

A three-carbon alcohol that forms the backbone of triglycerides.

Fatty acid

A long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group that attaches to glycerol; can be saturated or unsaturated.

Triglyceride

Lipid made of glycerol and three fatty acids; primary energy storage fat; nonpolar and water insoluble; transported in blood as lipoproteins.

Dehydration synthesis

Condensation reaction that links fatty acids to glycerol by removing water to form ester bonds.

Hydrolysis

Reaction that breaks triglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids by adding water.

Saturated fat

Fatty acids are fully saturated with hydrogen; no double bonds; usually solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated fat

Fatty acids with one or more double bonds; fewer hydrogens; chain has kinks; usually liquid at room temperature.

Polyunsaturated fat

Fats with two or more double bonds; generally liquid at room temperature.

Phospholipid

Lipid with a polar phosphate containing head and two nonpolar fatty acid tails; amphipathic.

Phospholipid bilayer

Two layers of phospholipids forming the cell membrane with heads facing water and tails away from water.

Hydrophilic

Water loving; polar heads of phospholipids that face water.

Hydrophobic

Water fearing; nonpolar tails that face away from water.

Lipoprotein

Protein coat around lipids that allows triglycerides to be transported in blood.

Cholesterol

Nonpolar steroid lipid; four ring structure; precursor to steroid hormones and a membrane component.

Steroid

Lipid with a four ring structure; includes cholesterol; precursors to hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol.

Eicosanoid

Signaling lipids derived from essential fatty acids; include prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

Prostaglandin

A type of eicosanoid derived from essential fats; regulates blood clotting, mucus production, uterine contractions, and temperature.

Leukotriene

Eicosanoid involved in immune responses.

Essential fatty acids

Fatty acids that must be obtained from the diet; examples include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids; used to make eicosanoids.

Omega-3 fatty acid

An essential fatty acid with a double bond near the third carbon from the omega end; important for health.

Omega-6 fatty acid

An essential fatty acid with a double bond near the sixth carbon from the omega end; precursor to eicosanoids.