AS Biology Core Principles

Lipids

Aims
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Elements of lipids Structure of glycerol & fatty acids Condensation reactions to form triglycerides Phospholipids

Introduction to lipids

Introduction to lipids
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Lipids contain the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They have numerous functions, primarily energy stores in animals and plants. Lipids consist of two types of molecules - glycerol & fatty acids.

Glycerol
A molecule of glycerol is made up of three carbon atoms. o Each of these has a hydroxyl group attached to it. o Hydrogen atoms occupy the remaining positions.
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Fatty Acids

Fatty Acids
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A single fatty acid molecule contains an acid (COOH) group attached to a hydrocarbon chain. Hydrocarbon usually denoted by the letter R. Saturated = If every carbon atom in the chain is joined by a single C-C bond. Unsaturated = at least one C=C bond. Polyunsaturated = many double bonds. Most animal fats are saturated while most plant fats are unsaturated.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides
A triglyceride molecule is made of a glycerol molecule and three fatty acids. o The molecules join together through the process of condensation losing a molecule of water each time a link is made. o The link between the glycerol molecule & each fatty acid is an Ester Link. o The fatty acids in a lipid molecule can differ in length and can be saturated or unsaturated.
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Triglycerides

Phospholipids
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In phospholipids one of the fatty acids of a triglyceride is substituted by a phosphate group.

Phospholipids

Phospholipids

Lipids & water

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Triglycerides and phospholipids have hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.

o What does this mean? o To what use is this feature put in biology?

More Info
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To make further notes on Lipids :

o Pages 11 & 12 in Collins o Pages 69 - 71 Roberts o www.mrothery.co.uk o www.learn.co.uk o www.bbc.co.uk/education/asguru/