lipids

• Triglycerides

  Lipids that contain a glycerol molecule and three fatty acid chains
• Phospholipids

  Lipids that contain a glycerol molecule, two fatty acid chains, and a phosphate group
• Formation of triglycerides

  1. Three separate condensation reactions between glycerol and fatty acids

  2. Three water molecules removed

  3. Three ester bonds formed
• Fatty acid chains

  Can be saturated (all single bonds) or unsaturated (at least one double bond)
• Triglycerides

  • High ratio of carbon-hydrogen bonds for energy storage
  • High ratio of hydrogen to oxygen allows them to act as a metabolic water source
  • Hydrophobic and insoluble, allowing for efficient energy storage
  • Relatively low in mass compared to other tissues
• Triglycerides are stored as energy reserves, e.g. in camel humps
• Formation of phospholipids

  1. Condensation reactions between glycerol, fatty acids, and phosphate group

  2. Two ester bonds formed
• Phospholipids

  • Hydrophilic head (phosphate group) and hydrophobic tails (fatty acids)
  • Arrange in a bilayer structure in aqueous environments, forming cell membranes
• Phospholipids are polar due to their charged and uncharged regions