Lipids (Chapter 8)

™Lipids are a class of biomolecules with hydrophobic character (poor

water solubility). They play a large role in energy metabolism and
storage and are major structural components of biological membranes.
8.1 What Is the Structure & Chemistry of Fatty Acids?
-fatty acids contain a polar carboxyl group (head) and a nonpolar
hydrocarbon chain (tail)
8.2 What Is the Structure & Chemistry of Triacylglycerols?
-triacylglycerols are the storage forms of fatty acids (energy storage)
8.3 What Is the Structure & Chemistry of Glycerophospholipids?
-essential components of biological membranes
8.4 What Are Sphingolipids & How Are They Important in Animals?
-sphingosine, ceramide, sphingomyelin, cerebroside, ganglioside
8.5 What Are Waxes & How Are They Used?
-esters of long-chain alcohols with long-chain fatty acids
8.6 What Are Terpenes & What Is Their Relevance in Biological Systems?
-isoprene units
8.7 What Are Steroids & What Are Their Cellular Function?
-with its characteristic fused-ring structure, cholesterol (the most common
steroid) is a precursor of many important biomolecules (hormones)
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Lipids, Membranes & Transport (Chapters 8 & 9)

™Lipids are biological molecules that are insoluble in water and soluble in
nonpolar solvents
™Triacylglycerols are the storage forms of fatty acids
™Glycerophospholipids are principle components of biological membranes
™Spingolipids contain an 18-carbon amino alcohol backbone
™Terpenes & Steroids are important vitamins & hormones (cholesterol)
™Biological membranes are dynamic & composed of lipids (the lipid
bilayer) and proteins (peripheral and integral) – the fluid mosaic model
™Functions of Membranes
-Compartmentalization
-Transport
-Catalysis
-Receptor Binding That Triggers Biochemical Response in the Cell
™Membrane Transport Occurs by Passive Diffusion, Facilitated Diffusion &
Active Transport Mechanisms
™Membrane Pore-Forming Toxins & Ionophore Antibiotics
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8.1 What Is the Structure & Chemistry of Fatty Acids?

™Long nonpolar hydrocarbon chains (“tail”) and terminal polar ionized
carboxyl group (“head”)
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What Is the Difference Between Saturated & Unsaturated

Fatty Acids?
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What Is the Nomenclature of Biological Fatty Acids?

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What Are the General Structures & Functions of

Triacylglycerols, Glycerophospholipids & Sphingolipids?
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8.2 What Is the Structure & Chemistry of Triacylglycerols?

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How Are Triacylglycerols Hydrolyzed?

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8.3 What Is the Structure & Chemistry of

Glycerophospholipids?
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What Are the Different Polar “Head Groups” Found In

Glycerophospholipids?
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8.4 What Sphingolipids, and How Are They Important for

Higher Animals?
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What Is a Ceramide?
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What Is a Sphingomyelin, Cerebroside & Ganglioside?

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8.5 & 8.6 What Are Waxes & Terpenes?

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8.7 What Are Steroids, and What Are Their Cellular

Functions?