Biochemistry 2280A Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Amphiphile, Hydrophile, Chief Operating Officer
Document Summary
Biochemistry 2280 topic 6 lipids and membranes. Fatty acid chains are components of cell membranes. Fatty acid consists of hydrophilic carboxylic acid head (-cooh or coo-) and hydrophobic hydrocarbon tail. Called amphipathic because it has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. Saturated: no double bonds (ex. palmitic acid) Unsaturated: one or more double bonds (ex. oleic acid) which creates kinks and affects ability to pack together. Can be broken down to provide six times as much energy as glucose. Found in cells as triglycerides three fatty acids and glycerol. Lipids: molecules that are insoluble in water, soluble in fat and organic solvents: ex. triglycerides, steroids. Lipid bilayer composed of phospholipids: hydrophilic head of polar group, phosphate, and glycerol, two fatty acid tails. Cell membranes also contain glycolipids which have one or more sugars attached instead of phosphate group. Carboxyl group of fatty acid can be ionized if free in solution, or linked to form esters or amides.