SQ #1-7

Explain how hydrogenated triglycerides are produced and their consistency at room temperature.

Hydrogenated fats begin as unsaturated fats in a lab and are artificially saturated. Liquid unsaturated fats are hydrogenated to produce a structure similar to saturated fats, which have more desirable properties for the food industry such as longer shelf life and greater stability in solid form. The double bonded carbons are hydrogenated, where a hydrogen is added to a double-bonded carbon to form a single bond with hydrogen and a single bond with carbon

Describe the chemical structure of a steroid. Identify the main steroid molecule from which other steroids are produced. State at least two uses of steroids in the human body.

Steroids are formed from a parent steroid called cholesterol. It is a lipid with 17 carbons arranged in four rings. Steroids can be used for numerous functions within the body including stabilizing cell membranes, hormone control and vitamin D absorption.

Trans fatty acids, named for their molecular shape, are part of a hydrogenated triglyceride. Describe why these are thought to be unhealthy

The double bonded carbon atoms form a "trans" shape where the atoms are positioned close together which then resists chemical breakdown and circulates longer in the arteries and can cause clogged arteries more easily

Describe the chemical structure of a prostaglandin. State the general role of prostaglandins in the human body.

Prostaglandin's structure consists of a long fatty acid chain of 20 carbon compounds that wraps around in a "C" shape. The roles of prostaglandins are to signal cell communications including inflammatory response, blood clotting, hormone control, blood vessel diameter and labor contractions.

A triglyceride (neutral fat) is composed of two types of smaller molecules covalently bonded together. Identify these two types of smaller molecules, and state how many of each type are used to form a single triglyceride.

Triglycerides are composed when one glycerol chain and three fatty acid chains are covalently bonded through dehydration synthesis by removing water to combine the molecules. The fatty acid is composed of 4-24 carbon atoms linked to a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one end and methyl (-CH3) at the other end. These chains cannot donate hydrogens once bonded to the three carbon alcohol (glycerol) so is no longer considered an acid.

Describe the structure of "omega-3 fatty acids". State whether these are saturated or unsaturated and their associated health benefits

Omega-3 are unsaturated fatty acids. They are named for the location of the double bonded carbon (C=C). There are many health benefits to these fatty acids such as decreasing the risk of heart disease and improving cell function to maintain a normal heart rate and coronary blood flow. Omega-3 fatty acids are also thought to be beneficial to people affecting by rheumatoid arthritis. The body doesn't make this fatty acid, so it is vital to get it from diet

Contrast the components of a triglyceride with the components of a phospholipid. Explain how this difference affects the charge characteristics (polarity) of these two types of lipids. State at least 3 functions of triglycerides in the human body. State at least two functions of phospholipids in the human body.

Phospholipids have a polar head of nitrogen and phosphate and a nonpolar tail that consists of the fatty acids whereas triglycerides are composed of a neutral, nonpolar glycerol bonded to three fatty acid chains. The neutral fats consist of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen where the phospholipids have carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, a nitrogen group and a phosphate group. The phospholipid's fatty acid tail is hydrophobic, which repels water where the phospholipid's phosphate head is hydrophilic and dissolves in water. This makes it amphiphilic. Functions of triglycerides include energy storage, cushioning, thermal insulation, binding organs together and absorptions of some vitamins. Phospholipids take part in cell membrane structure, fat digestion and helps in the structure of myelin sheaths around neurons within the human body.

Compare and contrast unsaturated triglycerides and saturated triglycerides in terms of A) types of carbon to carbon bonds in the fatty acid chains, B) consistency at room temperature, and C) source - primarily plant or animal.

Saturated and unsaturated triglycerides are similar in that they are both composed of a glycerol molecule bonded by dehydration synthesis to 3 fatty acid molecules and all are consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The fatty acids have a carboxyl group on one end and a methyl group on the other end. Saturated triglycerides have single bonds between carbons and are found as solids at room temperature. Saturated triglycerides are mostly animal based fats except coconut oil. Unsaturated triglycerides have at least one double bond between carbons and are mainly oils or liquids at room temperature. These triglycerides are primarily plant-based except those found in salmon.

State the four major classes of lipids. Diagram the molecular structure of a saturated fatty acid, unsaturated fatty acid, and a glycerol molecule.

The four major classes of lipids include neutral fats or triglycerides, phospholipids, prostaglandins and steroids.