Regents Biology 2003-

2004

Lipids: Fats & Oils

Regents Biology 2003-2004

Lipids Concentrated energy molecules

Regents Biology 2003-

2004

Lipids

Function:

energy storage

very concentrated

twice the energy as carbohydrates!

cell membrane

cushions organs

Chemical signals

hormones

insulates body

think whale blubber!

Regents Biology 2003-

2004

Lipids

Examples

fats

oils

waxes

hormones

sex hormones

testosterone (male)

estrogen (female)

Regents Biology

Lipids

The building blocks of lipids = fatty

acids

Regents Biology 2003-

2004

Structure of Fat

1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids = triglyceride

Not a polymer! – It is a HYDROCARBON

Regents Biology

Lipids are NOT polymers – They are hydrocarbons!

Regents Biology 2003-

2004

Saturated fats

Most animal fats

solid at room

temperature

Limit the amount

in your diet

contributes to

heart disease

deposits in

arteries

Regents Biology 2003-

2004

Unsaturated fats

Plant, vegetable & fish fats

liquid at room

temperature

the fat molecules

don’t stack tightly

together

Better choice in your

diet

Regents Biology 2003-

2004

Saturated vs. unsaturated

saturated unsaturated

Regents Biology 2003-

2004

Other lipids in biology

Cholesterol

good molecule in cell membranes

make hormones from it

including sex hormones

but too much cholesterol in blood may

lead to heart disease

Regents Biology 2003-

2004

Other lipids in biology

Cell membranes are made out of lipids

phospholipids

heads are on the outside touching water

“like” water (hydrophilic)

tails are on inside away from water

“scared” of water (hydrophobic)

forms a barrier between the cell & the outside