Lipids/Fats Biochemistry Notes

What you need to know! How to recognize lipids by their structural formulas The cellular functions of lipids

Lipids/Fats: Contain C, H, O, P Contain lots of H functional groups Monomers (not true monomers): glycerol and 2-3 fatty acids Lipids are individual macromolecules not polymers GlycerolFatty Acid

Lipids/Fats: Saturated fatty acid = very stable –butter, Crisco, lard –Single bonds –Solid at room temperature (RT) Unsaturated fatty acid = less stable –Olive oil, canola oil, nut based oils –Double bonds –Liquid at RT

Lipids/Fats: Lipids are non-polar, hydrophobic (very few O, H groups) Four categories of lipids

Lipids 1.Long term energy storage –Triacylglycerols stored in Adipose Tissue (animals) Seeds (plants) 2.Cell structure = membrane molecules –Phospholipids = glycerol, one phosphate, 2 fatty acids

3.Steroid hormones –Ring structure with one fatty acid estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, cortisol Different functional groups depending on molecule –Cholesterol: Membrane steroid Prevents membrane tails from twisting together Precursor for hormones Lipids

4.Protective waxes (leaf, ear) Waterproofing, keep out unwanted organisms