biochemistry

• lipids are macromolecules (not polymers)
• lipids are important molecules in living cells because they have a high energy yield and so act as an important energy source, this can then be respired
• all lipids are made up of th elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
• lipids dont dissolve in water because they are hydrophobic
• all biological membranes are made up of lipids
• lipids act as an insulating layer, forming thermal insulation under the skin of mammals

• triglycerides are large molecules because they have long hydrocarbon tails
• a triglyceride is NOT a polmer because it is made up of 4 smaller molecules that AREN'Tsimilar to eachother
• triglycerides are efficient energy stores and not water soluble so they dont affect the water potential of the cell 

the bond formed when an organic base (eg. fatty acid) joins to an alcohol (eg. glycerol) by a condensation reaction