Biological Molecules - Lesson 3

Lipids
Thursday 23 November 2023
Do Now! Complete the table
Starch
Glycogen Cellulose
Amylose Amylopectin

Found in plants or animals?

Alpha or beta glucose?

Structural or energy storage?

Found in plants or animals?

Branched or straight chain?

Soluble or insoluble?
Do Now Answers – Always mark in Green Pen
Starch
Glycogen Cellulose
Amylose Amylopectin

Found in plants or animals? Plants Plants Animals Plants

Alpha or beta glucose? Alpha Alpha Alpha Beta

Energy Energy Energy

Structural or energy storage? Structural
storag storag storag
e e e
Branched or straight chain? Straight Branched Branched Straight

Soluble or insoluble? Insoluble Insoluble Insoluble Insoluble

Exam question practice:
Answer these in your booklet on your own!
1 mark per pair of contrasts, both starch and cellulose
required

Accept other comparable differences eg hydrogen

bonds within starch but between cellulose molecules
Add up your marks and fill
them in here!

You should be aiming for

over 50%
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

 Describe how triglycerides and phospholipids are formed
 Compare saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
 Explain how the structure of triglycerides and
phospholipids is related to their function
Part 1 - Describe how triglycerides and phospholipids are formed

Lipids are different from proteins and carbohydrates as they are not
polymers.

They are still organic molecules as they contain hydrogen and

carbon.

Lipids can provide a source of energy, help to insulate organisms, act

as waterproofing, form membranes and hormones.
Part 1 - Describe how triglycerides and phospholipids are formed
Triglycerides

A glycerol molecule and

three fatty acid chains

The hydrocarbon fatty acid

chains can be saturated or
unsaturated.
Part 1 - Describe how triglycerides and phospholipids are formed
Triglycerides
Ester bond formed by condensation reaction between each of the three
OH groups on the glycerol and the OH group of each fatty acid chain.
Part 1 - Describe how triglycerides and phospholipids are formed
Triglycerides

How will
triglycerides be
broken down?
Part 1 - Describe how triglycerides and phospholipids are formed
Phospholipids

A glycerol molecule, a
phosphate group and two
fatty acid chains.
Part 1 - Describe how triglycerides and phospholipids are formed
Phospholipids
Ester bond formed by condensation reaction between two OH groups on the
glycerol and the OH group of each fatty acid chain.
Part 2 - Compare saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
Saturated and Unsaturated fatty acids:
Saturated fatty acids don’t have any
double bonds between their carbon
atoms. The fatty acid has all the
hydrogens it can hold or is “saturated”
with hydrogen.
Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds
between carbon atoms which means they contain
fewer hydrogen atoms.
The double bond also causes the chain to bend or
kink.
Unsaturated fatty acid chains can contain one
(mono) or many (poly) carbon double bonds.
Part 3 - Explain how the structure of triglycerides and phospholipids is related to
their function
Phospholipids
The phosphate group is hydrophilic
(attracts water) and the fatty acid
chains are hydrophobic (repel water).

This allows phospholipid to form

bilayers which make up membranes in
and around cells.
Part 3 - Explain how the structure of triglycerides and phospholipids is related to
their function
Phospholipids
The centre of the bilayer is therefore
hydrophobic so water soluble substances
cannot easily pass through.

This creates a barrier and allows separation

of solutions and can create different
conditions either side of the membrane.
Part 3 - Explain how the structure of triglycerides and phospholipids is related to
their function
Triglycerides
The fatty acid chains are hydrophobic (repel water) which makes lipids insoluble
in water.
They bundle together as insoluble droplets because the tails face inwards, and
the glycerol heads shield them from the water.
Part 3 - Explain how the structure of triglycerides and phospholipids is related to
their function
Triglycerides are used as an energy store as there is a
lot of energy released when the fatty acid chains are
broken down.
Always mark in Green Pen Remember to write the correct answers if you got it wrong
– check for spelling and language!
1. State 4 roles of lipids
2. What does a triglyceride consist of? Which type
of bonds hold it together?
3. How is a phospholipid different to a triglyceride?
And how are they similar?
4. How many water molecule(s) is/are needed
when breaking down a triglyceride?
5. What is the term for the reaction that makes
lipids?
6. What does a triglyceride consist of? Which type
of bonds hold it together?
7. How is a phospholipid different to a triglyceride?
And how are they similar?
8. Describe how phospholipids can form a bilayer
arrangement.
source of energy, waterproofing, insulation, protection
Glycerol and 3 fatty acids - ester bonds
Only 2 fatty acids (Tryglyceride has three). Phosphate
head (tryglyceride has no phosphate). Both have fatty
acids.
3
Condensation
Glycerol and 3 fatty acids - ester bonds
Only 2 fatty acids (Tryglyceride has three). Phosphate
head (tryglyceride has no phosphate). Both have fatty
acids.
- Hydrophilic heads point outwards
- Hydrophobic tails point inwards (shielded from aqueous
environment)
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Add up your marks and fill them in
here!

You should be aiming for over 50%