Biochemistry of Lipids: Triglycerides

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of triglycerides from plants?

They have a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. (correct)

They are solids at room temperature.

They are always hydrogenated.

They are never found in oils.

What happens to triglycerides during total hydrogenation?

They remain unchanged.

They become liquids at room temperature.

They become solids at room temperature. (correct)

They turn into oils.

What is a potential result of partial hydrogenation of triglycerides?

The production of oils.

The production of trans fats. (correct)

The production of unsaturated fats.

The production of saturated fats.

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

Their structures. Signup and view all the answers

What type of phospholipid has 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 type of fatty acid is typically solid at room temperature?

Saturated. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the HDL levels when trans fats are consumed?

They decrease. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary storage form of fatty acids in mammals?

Triglycerides Signup and view all the answers

What is measured in blood tests to determine the risk of atherosclerosis?

Triglyceride levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the combination of three fatty acid molecules with?

A glycerol molecule Signup and view all the answers

What has three hydroxyl groups that can react with fatty acids to form esters?

Glycerol Signup and view all the answers

What happens when all three hydroxyls of the glycerol have a fatty acid residue attached to it?

A triglyceride is formed Signup and view all the answers

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

Saturated fatty acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of cis double bonds on the melting points of triglycerides?

Lower the melting points Signup and view all the answers

What are triglycerides from animals typically at room temperature?

Solids Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Glycerophospholipids and triglycerides?

The presence of a phosphate group Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of Steroids based on?

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

What is the role of Cholesterol in Steroid synthesis?

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

What is the main function of Lipoproteins?

To transport water insoluble lipids in the blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of Chylomicrons?

Triglycerides Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of LDLs?

Cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of Glycerophospholipids similar to?

Triglycerides Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the phosphate group in Glycerophospholipids?

It replaces a fatty acid 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 atherosclerosis.
Triglycerides are a combination of three fatty acid molecules with a glycerol molecule.
Glycerol, also called glycerin, is an alcohol with three hydroxyl groups that react with fatty acids to form esters.
All three hydroxyls of glycerol have a fatty acid residue attached to form triglycerides.
Triglycerides made from unsaturated fatty acids have lower melting points than those made from saturated fatty acids.
Animal triglycerides tend to have a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids, making them solids at room temperature (fats).
Plant triglycerides tend to have a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making them liquids at room temperature (oils).

Hydrogenation of Triglycerides

Hydrogenation of triglycerides can be total or partial.
Partial hydrogenation can produce trans fats, which lower HDL ("good cholesterol") levels.

Saturated vs Unsaturated Fats

Saturated fats have only single bonds between carbon atoms.
Trans unsaturated fats have double bonds in the trans configuration.
Cis unsaturated fats have double bonds in the cis configuration.

Phospholipids and Glycolipids

Phospholipids have two types: glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids.
Glycerophospholipids have a structure similar to triglycerides, with one fatty acid replaced with a phosphate.
The phosphate group is usually attached to an additional alcohol.

Steroids

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

Lipoproteins

Lipoproteins transport water-insoluble lipids such as triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol in the blood.
Lipoproteins contain lipids and proteins.
Examples of lipoproteins include chylomicrons, 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 biochemistry of triglycerides, a storage form of fatty acids in mammals, and their significance in blood tests and risk indicators for artherosclerosis.