1. What are the general types of lipids? How are they distinct from one another?

The general types of lipids are simple lipids, complex lipids, and derived lipids.
Simple lipids- include fats and waxes which are esters of fatty acids with various alcohols.
Complex lipids- esters of fatty acids, which always contain an alcohol and one or more fatty
acids, but which also have other groups.
Derived lipids- formed from the hydrolysis of both simple and complex lipids. Some of which act
as precursor lipids in the formation of simple and complex lipids.

2. What are the implications of fatty acids having varying levels of unsaturation? What properties
does it affect?

Having varying levels of unsaturation may mean that it contains no double bonds if it is
saturated or it may have one or more bonds if it is unsaturated. It affects the structure and
melting point, saturated fatty acids form a zigzag pattern at low temperatures, and it shortens at
high temperatures. Nearly all of the unsaturated fatty acids have a cis configuration, and they
bend 120 degrees at the double bond. The more unsaturated it is the more it has a variety of
possible spatial configurations of the molecule, which is significant for the molecular packing
found in the cell membrane. The melting point of even-numbered carbon fatty acids increases
with chain length and decreases according to the level of unsaturation.

3. How are fatty acids named? How does one tell where the alpha carbon is and where the omega
bonds lie?

Fatty acids are named using the IUPAC or Systemic name, replacing -e with the suffix -oic acid.
Saturated acids end in -anoic, and unsaturated acids with double bonds end in -enoic. Fatty
acids are also named using common names which are derived from Latin/Greek name of their
source of origin, using the Greek letters which are used to number the carbons.

The second carbon atom (C-2) is the alpha carbon, while the omega carbon is the last or
terminal carbon.

4. What are the chemical reactions involving some type of lipids

a. Peroxidation- responsible for the deterioration of food and damage to tissues in vivo,
where it may be a cause of cancer, inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, and aging.
b. Hydrolysis- breaks the ester bond between fatty acids and glycerol.
c. Hydrogenation- used to change carbon-carbon double bonds to single bonds, and is also
responsible for trans-fat. It is used industrially to convert oils into fats with desirable
end-use properties and greater stability.
5. Give examples of storage and structural lipids
Storage Lipids:
i. Triglycerides-

Structural Lipids:

i. Phospholipids
6. How would you describe the composition of a cell membrane?
The composition of a cell membrane consists of a lipid bilayer that is permeable. Where
it has a hydrophobic head and a hydrophilic tail.

7. What are the types of membrane transport? How are they different from one another?
Passive transport- does not use energy, and flows from a more concentrated area to a
less concentrated area.
Facilitated diffusion- the movement of charged molecules and is assisted by proteins
Active transport- requires energy, against the concentration gradient, the protein binds
the molecule and forces it into the membrane

Their differences include the use of energy, the flow of molecules inside the membrane,
and the use of proteins to absorb molecules.
8. What is a steroid? Describe its function
A steroid is any natural or synthetic organic compound that has a molecular structure of
17 carbon atoms arranged in 4 rings. Steroids are used as anti-inflammatory agents,
anabolic agents, oral contraceptives, for energy metabolism, homeostasis, and
reproduction.
9. What are eicosanoids? Where are they derived from?

Eicosanoids are a group of compounds derived from the metabolism of eicosapolyenoic

polyunsaturated fatty acids with 20 carbons, they make up an important group of
physiologically and pharmacologically active compounds known as prostaglandins (PGs),
thromboxanes (TXs), leukotrienes (LTs), and lipoxins (LXs).

10. Differentiate the three major type of eicosanoids

1. Prostaglandins- form a 5 membered ring from the carbon atoms 8 through 12 on the
arachidonic acid
2. Leukotrienes- form 3 conjugated double bonds on the arachidonic acid
3. Thromboxanes- a 6 membered ring using carbon atoms 8 through 12 on the
arachidonic acid plus an oxygen