Biology unit 5.3

Hydrophobic

Water avoiding molecules

Hydrophilic

Water loving compounds

Why does being hydrophobic help lipids function

Lipids act as a boundary that surrounds and contains the aqueous content of your cell.

What does a fat molecule consist of?

One glycerol attached to three fatty acids

Saturated fat

When all three fatty acid chains contains the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms, and all carbon atoms form single bonds with each other

Unsaturated fat

Contains less than the maximum number of hydrogen atoms in one or more of its fatty acid chains

Why do unsaturated fats contain less than the maximum number of hydrogen atoms

Because some of its carbon atoms are double-bounded to each other

Why are diets rich of unsaturated fats unhealthy

Promote buildup of lipid containing deposits, called plaques within the walls of heart vessels

What is a steroid

A lipid molecule in which the carbon skeleton forms four fused rings

Why are steroids classified as lipids?

Because they are hydrophobic

Functions of steroid?

Function in the body as chemical signals

Give 3 examples of steroids

Cholesterol, testosterone, estrogen