WORKSHEET No. 2
Topic: LIPIDS
Course: Biochemistry
Student name: ............................................................ Student ID: ....................................
Date: .................................................
I. IDENTIFICATION AND COMPARISON
1. Structure analysis:
Given the following fatty acids:
- Palmitic acid: CH₃–(CH₂)₁₄–COOH
- Oleic acid: CH₃–(CH₂)₇–CH=CH–(CH₂)₇–COOH
- Linolenic acid: CH₃–CH₂–CH=CH–CH₂–CH=CH–CH₂–CH=CH–(CH₂)₇–COOH
a. Identify the type of fatty acid (saturated / monounsaturated / polyunsaturated).
b. Predict the order of increasing melting point and explain your reasoning.
c. Write the general formula of a saturated fatty acid with n carbon atoms.
II. APPLICATION AND ANALYSIS
2. Energy comparison:
Upon complete oxidation, 1 mol of stearic acid (C₁₈H₃₆O₂) yields 120 mol of ATP, while 1 mol of
glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) yields 32 mol of ATP.
a. Calculate the number of ATP molecules produced per carbon atom.
b. Explain why lipids provide more energy than carbohydrates.
3. A bacterial cell membrane contains mainly C16:0 fatty acids at 37°C. When the culture temperature
is lowered to 10°C, the fatty acid composition shifts to C16:1 and C18:2.
a. Explain the mechanism of this adaptation.
b. Draw a schematic illustration showing how double bonds affect membrane fluidity.
4. Compare the structure and biological function of triacylglycerols and membrane phospholipids
III. CASE STUDY – REAL-LIFE APPLICATION
5. A patient has the following blood test results:
• Triglycerides: 260 mg/dL (high – normal <150 mg/dL)
• LDL-cholesterol: 190 mg/dL (very high – normal <100 mg/dL)
• HDL-cholesterol: 30 mg/dL (low – normal >40 mg/dL in men, >50 mg/dL in women)
a. Assess the patient's lipid metabolism condition.
b. Explain the potential cardiovascular risks based on the biological roles of each lipoprotein.
c. Suggest at least two possible interventions to improve the condition.
IV. SELF-ASSESSMENT
• The concept I understand best: .......................................................
• The concept I need more clarification on: ....................................