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Section: _______________________________ Date: ________

LIPIDS

Overview

Lipids are a catch-all term used for biomolecules that are mostly hydrocarbon and water
insoluble (nonpolar). Several different types of lipids exist, and their structures vary widely.

Guide Questions

1. Introduce the overall structures of the different lipids, and state what is common with all of
them.

2. What are the classes of lipids and their biological roles?

3. Discuss the fatty acids and triglycerides:

 Define saturated and unsaturated fatty acids

  Introduce the concept of cis-trans isomerism in unsaturated fat and its effect on molecular
shape and melting point.

 Introduce the omega naming scheme for the location of the double bond in the fatty acid
molecule, and discuss the structure of triacylglycerols.

4. Define the chemical nature of waxes.

5. Introduce the structure of phospholipids, and the significance and behavior of the polar head-
group.
6. Define the structure of sterols/steroids and discuss their significance.

7. Discuss the biological role of lipids in terms of:

 Insulation

 Energy storage

 As a barrier to aqueous environment (e.g. cell membranes, waterproofing)

 Hormones
 8. What can happen if someone maintains his or her diet to be absolutely lipid-free? What
physiological changes are expected to happen on the body? Is it healthy?

9. What is trans fat?

10. What are the effects of consuming too much food containing trans fat?

11. Give examples (products, brands) of the commonly-consumed foods are expected to contain
trans-fat?

Generalization