biomolecules

• Lipids


  Biomolecules that contain hydrocarbons and make up the building blocks of the structure and function of living cells
• Vitamin A


  For the eyesight
• Vitamin D


  For the skin
• Vitamins E and K


  Essential elements needed by the body, found in bones and teeth
• Lipids


  Play an important role in the formation of different substances in the body, like hormones; most of the cell membrane is made up of lipids
• Lipids


  Largely nonpolar in nature, as they are hydrocarbons with mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds
• Lipid head


  Hydrophilic (water-loving)
• Lipid tail


  Hydrophobic (water-fearing)
• Major types of lipids

  • Fats and oils
  • Waxes
  • Phospholipids
  • Steroids
• Fats and oils


  Consist of glycerol and fatty acids
• Glycerol


  Organic compound with 3 carbons, 5 hydrogens, and 3 hydroxyl groups
• Fatty acids


  Long chain of hydrocarbons with a carboxyl group attached
• Fatty acids


  Can range from 4 to 36 carbons, most common are 12 to 18 carbons
• Formation of triglycerides


  Joining of 3 fatty acids to a glycerol backbone in a dehydration reaction
• Saturated fatty acids


  Have single bonds between neighboring carbons in the hydrocarbon chain
• Unsaturated fatty acids


  Have double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain
• Saturated fatty acids


  • Stearic acid
  • Palmitic acid
• Unsaturated fatty acids


  • Oleic acid (found in olive oil, avocado, almonds, salmon, sunflower oil)
• Saturated fats


  Generally solid at room temperature
• Unsaturated fats


  Generally liquid at room temperature (oils)
• Saturated fats


  Fats that are solid at room temperature, e.g. stearic acid (18 carbon atoms), palmitic acid (16 carbon atoms), myristic acid (12 carbon atoms), lauric acid (12 carbon atoms), capric acid (10 carbon atoms), caprylic acid (8 carbon atoms), caproic acid (6 carbon atoms)
• Stearic acid


  • Consists of 18 carbon atoms, one of the most common long chain fatty acids found in combined form in natural animal and vegetable fats
• Myristic acid


  • 12 carbon atoms, found in palm oil, coconut oil, butter fats
• Lauric acid


  • 12 carbon atoms, found in coconut oil, palm kernel oils, used in food, vegetable shortening, soap, shampoos
• Capric acid


  • 10 carbon atoms, found in coconut oil
• Caprylic acid


  • 8 carbon atoms, found in various animal fats and oils
• Caproic acid


  • 6 carbon atoms, found in various animal fats and oils, used as feed additive, antimicrobial, plant growth promotor, precursor for lubricants, fragrances, paint additives, pharmaceuticals
• Unsaturated fats


  Fats that are liquid at room temperature, e.g. monounsaturated fats (one double bond) and polyunsaturated fats (two or more double bonds)
• Monounsaturated fats


  • Olive oil, canola oil, avocado, nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, pecans), pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds
• Polyunsaturated fats


  • Sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, flaxseed oil, walnuts, contain omega-3 fatty acids
• Waxes


  Long fatty acid chains esterified to long chain alcohols, hydrophobic nature prevents water from sticking to surfaces
• Phospholipids


  Molecules with two fatty acids and a modified phosphate group attached to a glycerol backbone, major component of cell membranes, have hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts
• Steroids


  Lipids with a unique ring structure, different chemical formula from other lipids, but also hydrophobic and insoluble in water
• Cholesterol


  • Most common steroid, synthesized mainly in the liver, precursor to many steroid hormones and vitamin D, component of bile salts
• Importance of lipids


  • Component of cell membranes, store long-term energy, provide insulation, building blocks of hormones, essential for cellular activities