Summary of 5.3

Characteristics of Lipids

• Lipids are water-avoiding compunds.

• Water-avoiding molecules are said to be Hydrophobic (water fearing)

• Fats consists of three carbon backbone called Glycerol attached to three fatty acids, which contains hydrocarbon chains.

• Saturated fat is fat which all three fatty acid chains contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms.

• Unsaturated fat is fat that contains less maximum number of hydrogen atoms.

• A lipid molecule in which carbon skeletons form four fused rings is called a steriod.

• Cholesterol is an essential molecule found in membranes that surround your cells.

Concept Checks

1.) What property do lipids share?

Lipids are "water-avoiding" molecules. (Hydrophobic)

2.)What are the parts of a fat molecule?

Fat consists of three carbon backbones called glycerol, which are connected to three fatty acids.

3.)Describe two ways that steroids differ from fats.

Steroids are differnt from fats because of there structure and function.

4.) What does the term unsaturated fat on a food label mean?

Foods labeled unsaturated fat could mean that the product has less than the maximum number of hydrogen atoms. These food are healthier than product with saturated fat.