Lipids Flashcards
What is a fatty acid?
Carboxylic acid with a long hydrocarbon chain
What is a lipid?
One or more fatty acids connected to a linker molecule
Triglycerides
Storage lipids
Glycerol is the linker molecule
Non polar
Not in biological membranes
3 major membrane lipids
Phospholipids
Sphingolipids
Glycolipids
Sterols also help with structure
Phospholipids
Phosphate group
Glycerol or sphingosine linker
Constitutes majority of animal membranes
Sphingolipids
One sphingosine, one fatty acid
Phosphate, glucose or polysaccharide head group
Largely signaling
Glycolipids
Anchor protein to membrane
Cell identification
Sterols
Membrane component
Increases rigidity
Reduces permeability
How are lipids involved in inflammatory response?
Omega 6 plays part in driving inflammation
Omega 3 plays part in relieving inflammation
*fatty acid signals may break the cycle
What are the diverse functions of lipids?
Cell surface markers
Vitamins and cofactors
Colorants
Why are lipids and fatty acids important?
Store energy
Form Membranes
Carry information and signal
Additional services
What is the major phospholipid component of membranes?
Phosphotidylcholine
