Zachary Wolff

Sintich AP Biology 2nd Period

November 27, 2015

Biochemistry

Summary and Artifact #1

Standards: 4.A.1: a1-4, b1-3
Lipids are not polymers. Lipids exist as Fats, Phospholipids, Steroids, Waxes, and Pigments.
Fats primary function are to store energy. They do this at a capacity twice that of carbohydrates.
They also cushion organs and insulate the body. They're made of glycerol and a fatty acid.
Triacylglycerol is composed of three fatty acids and a glycerol. They're linked together by an
ester linkage. Fats, in general, have long hydrocarbon tails that are nonpolar and hydrophobic.
Fats are further distinguished by their two types: saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats have
single bonds between the carbon atoms. They're also solid at room temperature. Next are the
unsaturated fats. These fats have double bonds between the carbon atoms. They're also liquid at
room temperature. Phospholipids are composed of two fatty acids and a glycerol. They
automatically assemble themselves into double layers when in aqueous solutions. This shields the
hydrophobic tails from the water. Steroids are composed of a carbon skeleton of four fused rings.
They vary based on functional groups. Cholesterol is a primary component in animal cell
membranes to maintain their fluidity and flexibility. Cholesterol is also the main ingredient in the
sex hormones of estrogen and testosterone.

LIPIDS

ARTIFACT

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