Intro to Organic Molecules & Lipids

1. Intro to Organic Molecules & Lipids

2. Life is based on Carbon • Carbon atoms are versatile building blocks • Special bonding properties • Has 4 valence electrons so it can form 4 stable covalent bonds with other carbon atoms or atoms of other elements • Bonds with CHNOPS – the elements that make up living things; Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur H C H H H

3. Lipids • Lipids are organic molecules essential for life that are composed mostly of C, H, O • 4 types of lipids • fats (triglycerides) • phospholipids • steroids • waxes

4. Triglycerides • Fat molecules • Structure = 3 fatty acids chains linked to glycerol • Functions = long term energy storage and insulation for animals • Can be saturated or unsaturated 3 fatty acids Glycerol

5. Saturated fats • All C bonded to H • No C=C double bonds • long, straight chain • most animal fats and butter • solid at room temperature • contributes to cardiovascular disease

6. Unsaturated fats • At least one C=C double bond in the fatty acids • plant & fish fats • vegetable oils • liquid at room temperature

7. Saturated vs. unsaturated saturated unsaturated 

8. Phospholipids • Structure: 2 fatty acids chains + phosphate head • Fatty acid chains = non-polar =hydrophobic “water fearing” • Phosphate head = polar =hydrophillic “water loving” • Function: make up cell membranes (phospholipid bilayer)

9. Steroids • Structure: 4 fused Carbon rings • examples: • cholesterol – Function =control the fluidity of the cell membrane • hormones – Function = regulate processes in the body (such as pregnancy) • vitamins (A, B, D) – Function = supports metabolism and cell processes

10. Waxes • Solid at room temp • Insoluble in water • Function: • Protective covering for animals and plants • Examples: • Beeswax • Earwax • Cuticle of leaf (keeps water in)

11. Which of the following is an example of a type of triglyceride? • A fat containing 3 saturated fatty acids • A fat containing 2 saturated fatty acids & 1 unsaturated fatty acid • A fat containing 3 unsaturated fatty acids • All of the above eufic.org aafp.org mpkb.org

12. 2 Which of the following types of fats (triglycerides) would be an oil at room temperature and would be healthier to eat since its bent carbon & hydrogen chains and don’t stack well? • Unsaturated fat WITHOUT any C to C double bonds • Saturated fat WITHOUT any C to C double bonds • Unsaturated fat containing C=C • Saturated fat containing C=C • Steroids like testosterone hormone or cholesterol eufic.org aafp.org mpkb.org

13. 3 Which type of lipid makes up the majority of the cell membrane? • phospholipids • waxes • steroids • triglycerides essortment.com alevelnotes.com

14. 4 Phospholipids contain: • A hydrophobic polar phosphate head & 2 hydrophilic nonpolar fatty acid tails • A hydrophilic polar phosphate head & 2 hydrophobicnonpolar fatty acid tails http://myhome.sunyocc.edu/~weiskirl/Alcamo_membrane.gif

15. 5 Which is an example of a steroid? Structure of triglycerides: fats & oils • Fatty acids • Sex hormones • Phospholipids • Olive Oil • Triglycerides Structure of sex hormones

16. 6 What is the function of a triglyceride? • Stores and transfers genetic information • Long term energy storage, as well as insulation & protection • Control the rate of reactions • Help to fight disease

17. 7 What is the function of hormones such as the steroid hormones? • Communication & cooperation between cells • Short term energy storage • Structural building materials • Compose the bilayer cell membrane

18. 8 What is the cholesterol considered a steroid? • They have a similar hydrophobic structure • The both contain rings made mostly of Carbon and Hydrogen atoms • They are both nonpolar covalent • All of the above cholesterol