Lipids Made up of C, H and O Can exist as fats, oils and waxes They are insoluble in water They are a good source of energy They are poor conductors of heat Most fats & oils are triglycerides
Triglycerides …a condensation reaction between 3 fatty acids and glycerol: H H C O Glycerol H
Fatty acids Carboxyl group (-COOH) attached to a long non-polar hydrocarbon chain (hydrophobic): C O H H C H C H C H A saturated fatty acid (no double bonds)
A monounsaturated fatty acid H C H H C H C O C H C H C H C C O H H A monounsaturated fatty acid H C H H H C O C C H C H C C C O H H H A polyunsaturated fatty acid
Formation of an ester bond H H C O C O H H Fatty acid Glycerol
H H C O C O H H Fatty acid Glycerol
Condensation Fatty acid Glycerol H C O H H C O H C H H C H O H C H C C
Esterification Ester bond water C O H H C O H C H H C H O H C H C C C
Esterification This happens three times to form a triglyceride: glycerol fatty acids
Functions of lipids Protection of vital organs To prevent evaporation in plants & animals To insulate the body They form the myelin sheath around some neurones As a water source (respiration of lipids) As a component of cell membranes