Describe the test for fats.
Emulsion test
1. Add 2cm3 of sample into test tube containing 2cm3 of ethanol.
2. Shake the mixture well.
3. Allow mixture to settle for 2 minutes.
4. Empty any clear liquid into a test tube containing 2cm3 of water.
(lipids soluble in ethanol, dissolve to make up clear liquid. when mixed with water lipid molecules clump together to form white emulsion)
Describe difference between saturated & unsaturated fatty acids.
saturated - in H atoms, unsaturated - lacking H atoms
unsaturated - presence of C=C double bonds results in presence of kinks in fatty acid tails -> molecules pack less closely together, weaker hydrophobic interactions between fatty acid tails and require less heat to be disrupted.(compared to saturated)
Describe formation of ester bond.
An ester bond is formed between one -OH group of glycerol and the -COOH group of a fatty acid, in a condensation/esterification reaction with the removal of a water molecule, catalysed by enzymes.
Describe breakage of ester bond.
An ester bond is broken between one -OH group of glycerol and the -COOH group of a fatty acid by the addition of an acid/base, in a hydrolytic reaction(saponification) with the addition of a water molecule, catalysed by enzymes.
Relate structure to function; triglycerides.
higher proportion of H and almost insignificant proportion of O compared to carbs; higher ratio of energy storing C-H bonds to carbon atoms than carbs
-> when given mass of triglycerides oxidised during respiration, >2x amount of energy is released in the form of ATP than same mass of carbs
-> good energy source
contain more energy/g than carbs and proteins, provides the most weight-efficient means for plant/animal to store energy.
-> good energy storage molecule
large molecules, non-polar; insoluble in water.
->won't diffuse out of cell nor change water potential in cell, can be stored in large amounts in cell
-> good energy storage molecule
Describe structure of phospholipids.
2 ester bonds formed between 2 -OH groups of glycerol and a -COOH group from 2 fatty acids, 1 phosphodiester bond formed between 1 -OH group of glycerol and phosphate group of phosphoric acid, in condensation reactions.
Fatty acid tails are non-polar and hydrophobic, phosphate group is polar and hydrophilic - phospholipid is amphipathic in nature.
Relate structure to function; phospholipids.
polar hydrophilic phosphate head face outwards, non-polar hydrophobic fatty acid tails face inwards. phospholipids align; non-polar fatty acid tails buried inside 2 layers of polar phosphate heads, forming phospholipid bilayer
-> compartmentalisation of cell(cell membrane)
-> selective barrier; hydrophobic core restricts movement of polar molecules/charged ions across membrane
-> membrane fluidity; phospholipids held by weak hydrophobic interactions- can diffuse rapidly within their own layers, forming transient pores. kinks in unsaturated fatty acid tails prevent packing closely together, enhances membrane fluidity.
Relate structure to function; triglycerides(animals).
(ARID ANIMALS)
>proportion of H than carbs
-> when oxidised, given mass of triglycerides produce more metabolic water per gram than same mass of carbs
-> water retained in desert animals which help them survive in arid environment
-> source of (metabolic) water
(ARCTIC ANIMALS)
good thermal insulators, conduct heat slowly; reduces heat loss from body
-> good thermal insulation for animals in cold climates
(SEA ANIMALS)
less dense than H2O
-> confer buoyancy