Lipids are not true polymers are it is not big enough to be considered as macromolecules. They mix poorly with water which means do not dissolve in water.
There are three types of lipids:
Function of fats:
Omega-3 fatty acids required for normal growth in children and appear to protect against cardiovascular diseases in adults
As energy storage, the hydrogen chains of fats is rich in energy
Triglyceride is made up of one molecule of triglycerol and three molecule of fatty acids which joined by an ester linkage, a bond between hydroxyl group (-OH) and carboxyl group (-COOH)
There are three types of lipids:
- Fats
- Phospholipids
- Steroids
- Fats
Function of fats:
Omega-3 fatty acids required for normal growth in children and appear to protect against cardiovascular diseases in adults
As energy storage, the hydrogen chains of fats is rich in energy
Triglyceride is made up of one molecule of triglycerol and three molecule of fatty acids which joined by an ester linkage, a bond between hydroxyl group (-OH) and carboxyl group (-COOH)
Fatty acids
Fatty acids comprises a long carbon skeleton (16 to 18 carbon atoms), at one end of the carbon skeleton is part of carboxyl group (-COOH) The rest of skeleton consists of hydrocarbon chain. This hydrocarbon (C-H) of fatty acid is non polar which is hydrophobic. Fatty acid can be saturated or unsaturated.
Fatty acids comprises a long carbon skeleton (16 to 18 carbon atoms), at one end of the carbon skeleton is part of carboxyl group (-COOH) The rest of skeleton consists of hydrocarbon chain. This hydrocarbon (C-H) of fatty acid is non polar which is hydrophobic. Fatty acid can be saturated or unsaturated.
- saturated fatty acid has no double bond in the carbon skeleton
- unsaturated fatty acids has one or more double bonds in the carbon skeleton
Glycerol
Glycerol is an alcohol which each of it has three carbon that bears a hydroxyl group (-OH). The formula are C3H8O3.
2. Phospholipids
Glycerol is an alcohol which each of it has three carbon that bears a hydroxyl group (-OH). The formula are C3H8O3.
2. Phospholipids
- Important component of cell as they make up cell membranes.
- The structure comprises of one molecule of glycerol joined with two molecules of fatty acids. The third hydroxyl group of glycerol is joined by a phosphate group, which has a negative charge in the cell
Behaviour of phospholipids:
- two ends of phospholipids show different behaviour towards water
- tails are hydrophopic (repel water) and head is hydrophilic (has affinity for water)
- when phospholipid are added to water, they self assble into double layer structures called bilayer, shielding their hydrophobic portions from water
3. Steroids
The structure comprises of four carbon sekeleton fused together
example: cholestrol, vertebrate sex hormone
Cholestrol are common components of animal cell membranes and also serve as precursor to synthesize other type of steroid
The structure comprises of four carbon sekeleton fused together
example: cholestrol, vertebrate sex hormone
Cholestrol are common components of animal cell membranes and also serve as precursor to synthesize other type of steroid