Structure of triglycerides

• Triglycerides are a type of what?

  lipid
• What do triglycerides contain?

  One molecule of glycerol with three fatty acids attached to it
• What do fatty acid molecules contain?

  Long tails made of hydrocarbons
• Give details about the hydrocarbon 'tail'?

  they are hydrophobic
• What makes lipids insoluble in water?

  the hydrocarbon tails which are hydrophobic
• All fatty acids have the same what?

  basic structure
• what varies between fatty acids?

  the hydrocarbon tail varies
• What is the basic structure of a fatty acid?

  Carbon atom links fatty acid to glycerol

  Variable 'R' group hydrocarbon tail

  
• How are triglycerides formed?

  By condensation reactions
• How are triglycerides formed?

  • A fatty acid joins to a glycerol molecule
  • When the ESTER BOND is formed, a molecule of water is released - it's a CONDENSATION REACTION
  • This process happens twice more to form a triglyceride
• What are the 2 kinds of fatty acids?

  saturated or unsaturated
• What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

  The difference is in their hydrocarbon tails (R group)
• Give details about SATURATED fatty acids?

  • they don't have any double bonds between their carbon atoms
  • the fatty acid is 'saturated' with hydrogen
• Give details about UNSATURATED fatty acids?

  • They have at least one double bond between carbon atoms, which cause the chain to KINK