Chapter 1-2 Notes: Plants, Birds, and The Chemical Reactions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on fats, waxes, and surface-area–to–volume concepts along with dissolution.

Unsaturated fat

Fat containing one or more double bonds between carbon atoms; typically liquid at room temperature.

Saturated fat

Fat in which all carbon atoms are saturated with hydrogen; no double bonds; typically solid at room temperature.

Wax

A water-repellent lipid that coats plants and bird feathers.

Surface area

The total area exposed on the outside of a 3D object; for a cube, SA = 6s^2.

Volume

The amount of space inside a 3D object; for a cube, V = s^3.

Surface area to volume ratio (SA:V)

The ratio of a shape's surface area to its volume; smaller objects have a larger SA:V, affecting processes like dissolution.

Dissolve (dissolution)

To mix a substance with a solvent to form a solution; dissolution rate increases with greater surface area in contact with the solvent.

Cube

A 3D shape with six equal square faces; used to illustrate SA and V.

Cubic centimeter (cm^3)

Unit of volume equal to the volume of a cube 1 cm on each side; 1 cm^3 equals 1 mL.

Lard (pig fat)

Fat derived from pigs containing a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

Lipid

The general class of organic compounds that includes fats, oils, waxes, and steroids, all characterized by being insoluble in water.

Fatty Acid

A carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated; a building block of many lipids.

Glycerol

A simple polyol compound; serves as the backbone for triglycerides and phospholipids

Triglyceride

A lipid composed of one glycerol molecule linked to three fatty acid molecules; primary form of fat storage in the body.

Phospholipid

A lipid containing a phosphate group, glycerol, and two fatty acids; a major component of cell membranes.

Hydrophobic

Meaning "water-fearing"; characteristic of nonpolar molecules (like lipids) that do not dissolve in water.

Steroid

A type of lipid characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings; examples include cholesterol and hormones like testosterone and estrogen