Name: Allysa Paye M.

Tokong Score:________

Section: II- STEM Mendeleev Date: Sept. 26, 2019

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.
- There are different types of lipids, but the four main ones are the; Phospholipids, are a di-
substituted glycerol attached to a phosphate. The phosphate is polar while the glycerol fat is
nonpolar. Another type of lipids are Waxes, are formed when a fatty acid combines with an
alcohol in a dehydration reaction, turning the carboxylic acid into an ester. Steroid is also
one of the different types of lipids. Steroid, are made of interconnected carbon rings and an
alcohol group. The carbon ring that the alcohol is connected to is referred to as the A ring.
The alcohol group makes that end of the molecule polar, while the carbon ring sections are
nonpolar. Triglycerol, are the product of three fatty acids reacting with
a glycerol molecule in an esterification reaction; this therefore makes triglycerols esters and
are also referred to as hydrolysable lipids.

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

- There are two classification of lipids the Nonsaponifiable Lipids, a nonsaponifiable lipid
cannot be broken up into smaller molecules by hydrolysis, which includes triglycerides,
waxes, phospholipids, and sphingolipids. Saponifiable Lipids, a saponifiable lipid contains
one or more ester groups allowing it to undergo hydrolysis in the presence of an acid, base,
or enzymes. Fats incorrect amounts are necessary for the proper functioning of our body.
Many fat-soluble vitamins need to be associated with fats in order to be effectively
absorbed by the body. They also provide insulation to the body. They are an efficient way to
store energy for longer periods.

3. Discuss the fatty acids and triglycerides:

- Fatty acids are carboxylic acids (or organic acid), often with long aliphatic tails (long chains),
either saturated or unsaturated. Triglycerol, are the main components of body fats in most
animals as well as in human beings and they can be both obtained
from our diet and made naturally in our body. Occurring in the blood. they provide energy
to cells and allow the bidirectional transference of adipose fat and blood glucose from
the liver.
 Define saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
- Saturated fatty acids, is an indication that there are no carbon-carbon double bonds. The
saturated fatty acids have higher melting points than unsaturated acids of the
corresponding size due to their ability to pack their molecules together thus leading to a
straight rod-like shape. While unsaturated fatty acids, are fatty acid has more than one
double bond then this is an indication that it is an unsaturated fatty acid. Unsaturated fatty
acids, have a cis-double bond(s) that create a kink in their structure which doesn’t allow
them to group their molecules in straight rod-like shape.

 Introduce the concept of cis-trans isomerism in unsaturated fat and its effect on molecular
shape and melting point.
- A cis isomer has the hydrogens on the same side. Due to the added energy from the
hydrogenation process, the activation energy is reached to convert the cis isomers of
the unsaturated fat to a trans isomer of the unsaturated fat. It affects its molecular shape
because the sp2 carbons are trigonal planar, not tetrahedral (sp 3 carbons) as the carbons are
in saturated fats. Unsaturated melting point because it can be broken down easily.

 Introduce the omega naming scheme for the location of the double bond in the fatty acid
molecule, and discuss the structure of triacyglycerols.
- Counting from the other end of the chain, that is the carboxyl end, the three double
bonds are located at carbons 9, 12, and 15. These three locants are typically indicated as
Δ9c,12c,15c, or cisΔ9,cisΔ12,cisΔ15, or cis-cis-cis-Δ9,12,15, where c or cis means that the double
bonds have a cis configuration. The structure of triaglycerol is made up of three fatty acids
ester linked to a single glycerol.

4. Define the chemical nature of waxes.

- These molecules are completely insoluble in water and generally solid at biological
temperatures. Their highly hydrophobic nature allows them to function as water repellents
on the leaves of some plants, on the feathers and on the cuticles of some insects.

5. Introduce the structure of phospholipids, and the significance and behavior of the polar head-
group.
- Phospholipids consist of a molecule of glycerol, two fatty acids and a phosphate group
modified by an alcohol. The phosphate group is the negatively charged polar head, which is
hydrophilic. The fatty acid chains are the non-loaded non-polar tails, which are hydrophobic.
Since the tails are hydrophobic, they look inward, away from the water and meet the inner
region of the membrane and the heads are hydrophilic, they face outwards and are
attracted by the cellular and extracellular fluid or by the water molecules in the
environment.
6. Define the structure of sterols/steroids and discuss their significance.
- Steroids are lipids because they are hydrophobic and insoluble in water, but they do not
resemble lipids because they have a structure composed of fused rings. They are very
important because they are associated with the brain in which it alters the electrical activity
inside the brain because they can attenuate the receptors that communicate messages from
neurotransmitters and these steroids are often used in anesthetic medicines.

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

 Insulation
- Fats are important for insulation. Marine mammals, such as seals, dolphins and whales, offer
a perfect example of how fat can provide isolation. To prevent them from freezing to death
in water, many marine mammals have a layer of fat more often called "fat" to keep them
warm. Fats also provide a protective layer around important organs in animals such as our
liver and kidneys.

 Energy storage
- Lipids play an important role in energy conservation. If an animal eats too much energy, it
can store energy for later use in fat molecules. They can store a very large amount of energy
due to their size, which is important for animals due to our mobile lifestyles.

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

- Lipids separate the cell from its environment and compartmentalize the cell's interior. The
various membranes that play these vital roles are composed of proteins and lipids of
approximately equal weight. The lipid bilayer structure constitutes an impermeable barrier
for the water-soluble substances essential in the cell and provides the basis for the
compartmental function.

 Hormones
- Cholesterol is a type of lipid required to produce important hormones in your body.
Estrogen, testosterone, progesterone and the active form of vitamin D are all formed from
cholesterol and are needed to maintain pregnancy, develop sexual characteristics and
regulate calcium levels in the body.

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?
- Low-fat diets have been carefully researched and tests indicate they could be useful against
several serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity and multiple sclerosis.
Physiological changes are expected for obese people who follow this type of diet because
for them a low-fat diet has really helped them achieve impressive results. However, many
 studies suggest that this way of eating is not healthy or is not the most effective strategy for
long-term weight loss.

9. What is trans fat?

- This is a type of fat found in some foods. It can be found in fried and commercially cooked
foods with shortening of vegetables, such as chips and donuts. It is also in hard margarine
and shortening and some snacks and ready meals. When you see "partially hydrogenated
oils" on the label of a processed food, that means trans fat.

10. What are the effects of consuming too much food containing trans fat?
- Trans trans fat can increase the risk of heart disease. They increase bad cholesterol and
decrease good cholesterol, favouring the accumulation of fat deposits that can clog blood
vessels and cause heart attacks.

11. Give examples (products, brands) of the commonly-consumed foods are expected to contain
trans-fat?
- It is usually found in foods- including fried foods like doughnuts, and baked goods like cakes,
pie crusts, biscuit, frozen pizza, cookies, crackers, and stick margarines and other spreads

Generalization

- Lipids play an important role in our body-including the building blocks of our cellular
membrane, long-term energy storage, cellular communication, protection, and insulation. It
can either be in a form of wax, fatty acids, or steroids. It also plays an important role on
maintaining the health of an organism. Too much fat can kill you, but less fat can also
damage your body.