Triglycerides and Phospholipids

    Cards (8)

    • Triglycerides
      Lipid containing a glycerol molecule and three fatty acid chains
    • Phospholipids
      Lipid containing a glycerol molecule and two fatty acid chains, with a phosphate group replacing the third chain
    • Formation of triglycerides
      1. Glycerol bonded with three fatty acids through three separate condensation reactions
      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 dense energy storage
      • Relatively low mass compared to other tissues
    • Emulsion test for lipids
      1. Dissolve sample in ethanol
      2. Add distilled water and shake
      3. Positive result is a white emulsion
    • Phospholipid structure
      • Hydrophilic head (phosphate group)
      • Hydrophobic tails (fatty acid chains)
      • Arrange in a bilayer in water
    • Phospholipids are polar due to the charged phosphate group and uncharged fatty acid tails
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