MO Figure

Lipids

Topics Covered in this Module Understanding Lipids Major Objectives of this Module Describe the main characteristics of lipids. Distinguish among triacylglycerol, saturated fatty acid, and unsaturated fatty acid. Relate the structure of fat molecules to the function of energy storage. Explain why phospholipids form bilayers and relate the structure of phospholipids to cell structure and function. Describe the structure and basic function of steroids.

Understanding lipids
Diverse class of biological molecules Wide range of structures and functions Do not mix well with water Fats, phospholipids and steroids

A fatty acid consists of a carboxyl group attached to a long carbon skeleton (even numbered, usually between 14 and 22)

Figure 1b

Phospholipid

In a phospholipid, two fatty acids and a phosphate group are attached to glycerol The two fatty acid tails are hydrophobic, but the phosphate group and its attachments form a hydrophilic head Amphipathic (hydrophobic + hydrophilic)

Phospholipids form micelles and bilayers

Circular, single-layered. Short tailed more likely to form these. Small objects that form naturally when the hydrophobic phospholipid tail points inward, protecting the phospholipid tail from the water. Aid in transport & absorption of complex lipids & fat-soluble vitamins (e.g., Vitamin A).

Phospholipid bilayer
In water, hydrophobic ends of phospholipids align with one another, preventing them from interacting with water. Hydrophilic heads are in contact with environmental aqueous solutions. This arrangement produces a phospholipid bilayer. Provides boundary protecting cells from their outside environment. Controls what materials enter or leave the cell. Nonpolar molecules easily pass through the cellular membrane, polar (hydrophilic) molecules need help

Steroids
Steroids are lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton Functional groups consisting of four fused rings

Sterols are steroids with a polar OH group on one end, and a non-polar hydrocarbon on the other end. They are amphipathic.

4 fused rings (6,6,6,5)

Cholesterol

Estradiol

Steroid hormones control development, behavior, and biochemical processes. Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol.

other hormones are peptides

Female lion

Testosterone

Male lion

Figure 5

Important for biological functions in animal cell membranes. Liver produces cholesterol but can also be obtained from diet. Lipoproteins transport cholesterol through the bloodstream. Lipoproteins have internal hydrophobic regions and hydrophilic exteriors. High-density lipoprotein (HDL): carries good cholesterol out of the blood to the liver where it can be reused by the body. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): carries bad cholesterol, from liver to body.

Figure 7

Fats
Store chemical energy. Hydrophobic, no affinity for water. Also called a triacylglycerol (or a triglyceride).

Saturated fatty acids

Linear structure allows fatty acid chains to pack together closely. As a result are often solid at room temperature. Mammalian fats such as lard and butter have a high content of unsaturated fat.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Almost always in a cis formation, which produces a kink in the molecule. This prevents fatty acids from packing tightly together. Also referred to as an oil. From plants and animals such as olive oil and cod liver oil.

Trans fats

Unsaturated fats with a trans double bond; allows for a more dense arrangement of fat molecules, so they remain solid at room temperature. Most are man-made, from commercial hydrogenation of oils. It changes the texture and shelf-life, but is not natural and it is unhealthy: it increase LDL cholesterol, which is linked to heart

Essential fatty acids

Liver cannot produce all types of fatty acids the body needs, must come from diet. These include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Some fats are actually good for you! Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) It s the balance of omega 3 and omega 6 in our bodies that is key to good health. Diets rich in omega 3s correlate with reduced cardiovascular disease, and possibly reduced cancer as well. Sources: fish; eggs, milk and cheese from grass-fed chickens and cows. Omega 6s are converted to mediators of immune/inflammatory responses, which damage tissue over time (vascular, asthma, arthritis, etc). Sources: plant oils

Animal energy storage

Animals store energy in fats. Fat compounds hold twice as much energy as polysaccharides. Animals require a more compact energy source. Adipose cells are cells that store fat. Swell and shrink as reserves are stored and used. Also cushion bodily organs and provide insulation. Consuming more calories than needed may lead to increased adipose tissue and more fat storage overall, which can in turn lead to high triglyceride levels.

Summary OBJECTIVE Describe the main characteristics of lipids. Lipids include fats, phospholipids, and steroids. Most lipids are composed primarily of hydrocarbons held together with single and/or double bonds. They are nonpolar and hydrophobic, and they do not interact with water. Lipids contain functional groups that are polar in nature. These functional groups are hydrophilic and interact with water, however the majority of a lipid is nonpolar and hydrophobic. OBJECTIVE Distinguish among triacylglycerol, saturated fatty acid, and unsaturated fatty acid. Fats, also known as triacylglycerols, can be constructed of saturated fatty acids and/or unsaturated fatty acids. A triacylglycerol forms when a hydroxyl on the carboxyl functional group combines with the hydrogen on the hydroxyl functional group on the glycerol. This pairing forms an ester link joining the fatty acid to the glycerol. Two more fatty acids join the glycerol to produce the triacylglycerol. In a saturated fatty acid, the carbons in the hydrocarbon tail are bonded by single covalent bonds, which makes them saturated with hydrogen atoms. In an unsaturated fatty acid, the hydrocarbon tail contains one or more double covalent bonds between the carbons. The fatty acid's carbon skeleton is not saturated with hydrogen atoms.

OBJECTIVE Relate the structure of fat molecules to the function of energy storage. Plants use polysaccharides, like starch, as energy reserves. These compounds are large. In contrast, lipids are relatively smaller molecules that hold twice as much energy as polysaccharides. Animals need lipids such as triacylglycerols to continue to maintain life functions. Animals store triacylglycerols in adipose tissues that shrink and swell as reserves are used or stored. Adipose tissue has additional benefits of cushioning major organs and providing insulation. Fat is generally synonymous with the term lipid, and the characteristics of fat molecules (triacylgycerols) can be applied to all lipids. Steroids and phospholipids, like fats, are molecules used for energy storage. OBJECTIVE Explain why phospholipids form bilayers and relate the structure of phospholipids to cell structure and function. Phospholipids are composed of a glycerol bound to two fatty acids and one phosphate functional group. The hydrocarbon tails of fatty acids are hydrophobic and do not interact with water. The phosphate functional group is hydrophilic and interacts with water. When placed in water, the phospholipids align with the phospholipid tails facing each other and exposing the phospholipid head to the outside environment. They can form a micelle or a bilayer. The bilayer structure is important because it produces a cell membrane. The membrane controls what materials can enter or leave the cell; it separates and defines the inner cell from the outside environment.

OBJECTIVE Describe the structure and basic function of steroids. A steroid consists of a carbon skeleton composed of four fused rings. Steroids such as sex hormones and cholesterol are necessary for life functions. In particular, cholesterol is essential for the body to construct more complex steroid molecules. Cholesterol is produced by the liver or obtained from foods. Doctors monitor the level of certain cholesterol components in human blood. HDL offers positive health benefits. Doctors check the levels of HDL and LDL in blood to monitor the patient for atherosclerosis.