Triglycerides

Why are triglycerides good storage molecules?

Have a low mass to energy ratio which means more energy can be stored in a small volume

Why are triglycerides good energy sources?

Higher ratio of energy storing carbon-hydrogen bonds to carbon atoms

Why are triglycerides important for organisms in dry deserts?

Have a high ratio of H to O atoms

This means they release water when oxidised

This makes them a good water source

How does a triglycerides’ structure make them insoluble in water?

Fatty acid tails are hydrophobic, so shield themselves from water by bundling together in droplets

What bonds hold the glycerol and fatty acids together?

Ester bonds

What are triglycerides made from?

Glycerol

3 Fatty acids

Why don’t triglycerides affect water potential?

They are large, non-polar molecules so are insoluble in water

This also means their storage does not affect osmosis in cells

How does triglycerides’ structure make them a good energy source?

Long fatty acid tail contains lots of chemical energy