Fats and Proteins The good, the bad and the others

Fats Fats are a sub-group of compounds known as lipids that are found in the body and have the general property of being hydrophobic (meaning they are insoluble in water). Fats are also known as triglycerides, molecules made from the combination of one molecule of glycerol with three fatty acids, as depicted below: compoundslipidshydrophobicmoleculesmolecule acidscompoundslipidshydrophobicmoleculesmolecule acidsGlycerol 3 Fatty Acids (where R represents a long C-C-C chain) Fat (triglyceride) (where R, R' & R" may or may not be the same)

Fats can be classified as either saturated or unsaturated depending on the structure of the long carbon-carbon chains in the fatty acids (the R's in the diagram above). Unsaturated fats contain some number of double bonds in their structure. These fats are generally liquids at room temperature (fats that are liquid at room temperature are referred to as oils). Unsaturated fats can be either polyunsaturated (many double bonds) or monounsaturated fats (one or few double bonds). Recent research suggests that the healthiest of the fats in the human diet are the monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil and canola oil, because they appear to be beneficial in the fight against heart disease. Fats that contain no double bonds in their fatty acid chains are referred to as saturated fats. These fats tend to be solid at room temperature, such as butter or animal fat. The consumption of saturated fats carries some health risks in that they have been linked to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease.

Proteins Proteins are polymers of amino acids. While there are hundreds of thousands of different proteins that exist in nature, they are all made up of different combinations of amino acids. Proteins are large molecules that may consist of hundreds, or even thousands of amino acids. Amino acids all have the general structure: Proteins are polymers of amino acids. While there are hundreds of thousands of different proteins that exist in nature, they are all made up of different combinations of amino acids. Proteins are large molecules that may consist of hundreds, or even thousands of amino acids. Amino acids all have the general structure:polymers amino acidsproteins amino acidsProteinsmoleculesamino acids Amino acidspolymers amino acidsproteins amino acidsProteinsmoleculesamino acids Amino acids General Structure of an Amino Acid General Structure of an Amino Acid

When 2 amino acids bond together, the two ends of nearby amino acids (shown above in red) are released and the carbon (called a carboxyl) end of one amino acid bonds to the nitrogen end of the adjacent one forming a peptide bond, as illustrated below: When 2 amino acids bond together, the two ends of nearby amino acids (shown above in red) are released and the carbon (called a carboxyl) end of one amino acid bonds to the nitrogen end of the adjacent one forming a peptide bond, as illustrated below:amino acidsamino acidsamino acidpeptideamino acidsamino acidsamino acidpeptide

3-dimensional structure of proteins Representation of the 1° structure (amino acid sequence - illustrated with different colors), 2° structure (coiling) & 3° structure (folding) of a protein

Polymers The field of polymers is so vast and the applications so varied, that it is important to understand how polymers are made and used. Since there are over 60,000 different plastics vying for a place in the market, knowledge of this important field can truly enrich our appreciation of this wonder material. The field of polymers is so vast and the applications so varied, that it is important to understand how polymers are made and used. Since there are over 60,000 different plastics vying for a place in the market, knowledge of this important field can truly enrich our appreciation of this wonder material.polymers Companies manufacture over 30 million tons of plastics each year, and spend large sums on research, development, and more efficient recycling methods. Below we learn some of the scientific principles involved in the production and processing of these fossil fuel derived materials known as polymers Companies manufacture over 30 million tons of plastics each year, and spend large sums on research, development, and more efficient recycling methods. Below we learn some of the scientific principles involved in the production and processing of these fossil fuel derived materials known as polymers

Polymerization Reactions The chemical reaction in which high molecular mass molecules are formed from monomers is known as polymerization. There are two basic types of polymerization, chain-reaction (or addition) and step- reaction (or condensation) polymerization. The chemical reaction in which high molecular mass molecules are formed from monomers is known as polymerization. There are two basic types of polymerization, chain-reaction (or addition) and step- reaction (or condensation) polymerization. polymerization. additioncondensation polymerization. additioncondensation Chain-Reaction Polymerization One of the most common types of polymer reactions is chain-reaction (addition) polymerization. This type of polymerization is a three step process involving two chemical entities. The first, known simply as a monomer, can be regarded as one link in a polymer chain. It initially exists as simple units. In nearly all cases, the monomers have at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Ethylene is one example of a monomer used to make a common polymer. monomer

The other chemical reactant is a catalyst. In chain-reaction polymerization, the catalyst can be a free-radical peroxide added in relatively low concentrations. A free-radical is a chemical component that contains a free electron that forms a covalent bond with an electron on another molecule. The formation of a free radical from an organic peroxide is shown below: The other chemical reactant is a catalyst. In chain-reaction polymerization, the catalyst can be a free-radical peroxide added in relatively low concentrations. A free-radical is a chemical component that contains a free electron that forms a covalent bond with an electron on another molecule. The formation of a free radical from an organic peroxide is shown below:free-radical

Resin Code Resin Name Common Uses Examples of Recycled Products Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) Soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars, salad dressing bottles, mouth wash jars Liquid soap bottles, strapping, fiberfill for winter coats, surfboards, paint brushes, fuzz on tennis balls, soft drink bottles, film High density Polyethylene (HDPE) Milk, water, and juice containers, grocery bags, toys, liquid detergent bottles Soft drink based cups, flower pots, drain pipes, signs, stadium seats, trash cans, re- cycling bins, traffic barrier cones, golf bag liners, toys Polyvinyl Chloride or Vinyl (PVC- V) Clear food packaging, shampoo bottles Floor mats, pipes, hoses, mud flaps Low density Polyethylene (LDPE) Bread bags, frozen food bags, grocery bags Garbage can liners, grocery bags, multi purpose bags Polypropylene (PP) Ketchup bottles, yogurt containers, margarine, tubs, medicine bottles Manhole steps, paint buckets, videocassette storage cases, ice scrapers, fast food trays, lawn mower wheels, automobile battery parts. Polystyrene (PS) Video cassette cases, compact disk jackets, coffee cups, cutlery, cafeteria trays, grocery store meat trays, fast-food sandwich container License plate holders, golf course and septic tank drainage systems, desk top accessories, hanging files, food service trays, flower pots, trash cans Everyday Polymers and their uses