Lipids

    Cards (13)

    • What are lipids primarily used for in the body?
      Long-term energy storage, insulation, and protection
    • What are the main types of lipids?
      • Triglycerides
      • Phospholipids
      • Steroids
    • What are triglycerides composed of?
      One glycerol molecule and three fatty acids
    • How are triglycerides formed?
      By ester bonds formed via condensation reactions
    • What characterizes saturated fats?
      No double bonds between carbon atoms
    • Why are saturated fats typically solid at room temperature?
      Because they have no double bonds, allowing tight packing
    • What characterizes unsaturated fats?
      One or more double bonds in the fatty acid chain
    • How do double bonds in unsaturated fats affect their physical state at room temperature?

      They create kinks, making them liquid at room temperature
    • What is the structure of phospholipids?
      Similar to triglycerides but one fatty acid is replaced by a phosphate group
    • What role do phospholipids play in cell membranes?
      They form a bilayer with hydrophobic tails facing inward and hydrophilic heads facing outward
    • What is the structure of steroids?
      They have a ring structure
    • What is the importance of cholesterol in the body?
      It stabilizes cell membranes and serves as a precursor for steroid hormones
    • What are the functions of triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol?
      • Triglycerides: Long-term energy storage, insulation, and protection of organs
      • Phospholipids: Form the cell membrane, providing a barrier and fluidity
      • Cholesterol: Stabilizes cell membranes and serves as a precursor for steroid hormones