Biochemistry of Lipid: Triglycerides

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Questions and Answers

What is attached to the other side of the phosphate in phospholipids?

A cycloalkane ring

An additional alcohol (correct)

Another fatty acid

A glycerol molecule

What is the structure similar to in glycerophospholipids?

Triglycerides (correct)

Glycolipids

Steroids

Lipoproteins

What does 'phosphotidyl-' refer to in glycerophospholipids?

Everything but the X group (correct)

The entire molecule

The phosphate group

The glycerol backbone

What are steroids derived from?

A system of five cycloalkane rings Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cholesterol in steroid synthesis?

It is the starting point for the synthesis of other steroids Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of lipoproteins in the blood?

To transport water-insoluble lipids Signup and view all the answers

What type of lipoproteins transport triglycerides from the digestive tract?

Chylomicrons Signup and view all the answers

What is transported by LDLs?

Cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids from the liver to other tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of triglycerides in mammals?

To serve as a storage form of fatty acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk indicator associated with high triglyceride levels in the blood?

Artherosclerosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of a triglyceride molecule?

Three fatty acid molecules with a glycerol molecule Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the alcohol with three hydroxyl groups that reacts with fatty acids to form esters?

Glycerol Signup and view all the answers

How many fatty acid residues can react with the hydroxyl groups of glycerol to form esters?

Three Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of triglycerides made from unsaturated fatty acids?

Lower melting points Signup and view all the answers

What type of fatty acids are typically found in triglycerides from animals?

Saturated fatty acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe triglycerides that are solids at room temperature?

Fats Signup and view all the answers

What type of fatty acids do triglycerides from plants tend to have a higher proportion of?

Unsaturated Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of total hydrogenation of triglycerides?

A solid at room temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential health risk associated with trans fats?

Lowering your HDL levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a cis and trans unsaturated fat?

The position of the hydrogen atoms Signup and view all the answers

What type of phospholipids have a structure similar to triglycerides?

Glycerophospholipids Signup and view all the answers

How many types of phospholipids are there?

Two Signup and view all the answers

What is replaced with a phosphate in Glycerophospholipids?

A fatty acid Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the 'good cholesterol' in the blood?

HDL Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a storage form of fatty acids in mammals.
High triglyceride levels in the blood are a risk indicator for artherosclerosis.
Triglycerides are a combination of three fatty acid molecules with a glycerol molecule.
Glycerol is an alcohol with three hydroxyl groups, and three fatty acids can react with the hydroxyl groups to form three esters.
For triglycerides, all three hydroxyls of the glycerol have a fatty acid residue attached to it.
Triglycerides made from unsaturated fatty acids have lower melting points than those made from saturated fatty acids.
Triglycerides from animals tend to have a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids, and are solids at room temperature (e.g. butter, lard, and bacon grease).
Triglycerides from plants tend to have a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, and are liquids at room temperature (e.g. corn oil, canola oil, peanut oil, and olive oil).

Hydrogenation of Triglycerides

Hydrogenation of triglycerides can produce trans fats, which lower HDL ("Good cholesterol") levels.
Total hydrogenation turns liquids into solids.
Partial hydrogenation can produce trans fats.

Saturated vs Unsaturated Fats

Saturated fats have no cis double bonds.
Trans unsaturated fats have a trans configuration, lowering HDL levels.
Cis unsaturated fats have a cis configuration.

Phospholipids and Glycolipids

Phospholipids have two types: Glycerophospholipids and Sphingolipids.
Glycerophospholipids have a structure similar to triglycerides, with one of the fatty acids replaced with a phosphate.
The phosphate group is usually attached to an additional alcohol.

Steroids

Steroids are a type of lipid that is not derived from a fatty acid.
Steroids are based on a system of five cycloalkane rings that are fused together.
Cholesterol is the steroid that is used as the starting point for the synthesis of other steroids.

Lipoproteins

Lipoproteins are used to transport water-insoluble lipids such as triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol in the blood.
Lipoproteins contain lipids and proteins.
Examples include Chylomicrons, which transport primarily triglycerides from the digestive tract, and LDLs (low density lipoproteins), which transport cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids from the liver to other tissues.

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of triglycerides, their role in storing fatty acids in mammals, and their relationship to health risks like artherosclerosis.