Lipids

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  • Created by: zoolouise
  • Created on: 15-01-16 21:48
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  • Lipids
    • They contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen like carbohydrates do, just in different proportions.
    • They are non-polar molecules, they are insoluble in water so they don't interfere with water based reactions.
    • They are soluble in organic solvents such as alcohol, and can be used as an energy store.
      • They contain twice the amount of energy as carbohydrates do.
    • They play an important part int he construction of plasma membranes.
    • They're used to insulate neurones and keep electrical impulses discrete
    • They provide thermal insulation and protect delicate organs such as the kidneys.
    • They are made from two organic chemicals - fatty acids and gycerol.
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      • Glycerol is simply C3H8O3, it's the number and type of fatty acids that it combines with that make different lipids.
      • Fatty acids can vary in length of their carbon chain, and also in whether they are saturated or unsaturated.
    • Fatty acids with a single bound bond are monounsaturated fatty acids, those with many are polyunsaturated fatty acids.
      • Fatty acids are usually between 15 and 17 carbons long

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