Question

The fatty acid chain of the lipids is often referred to as a hydrocarbon chain. Discuss with your group why the chain is given this name and write a one-sentence definition for a hydrocarbon.

Answer 1

Lipid fatty acid chains are termed hydrocarbon chains due to their composition of carbon and hydrogen; hydrocarbons are organic compounds made entirely of these two elements. Fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated based on the bonding between carbon atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fatty acid chain of lipids is commonly referred to as a hydrocarbon chain because it primarily consists of a long series of carbon atoms bonded to each other and to hydrogen atoms. Hydrocarbons are compounds composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. In the context of fatty acids, these chains may vary in length from 4 to 36 carbon atoms and are typically found in lengths of 12 to 18 carbons. Fatty acids with only single bonds between carbon atoms are termed saturated fatty acids and are fully 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms, while those with double bonds are referred to as unsaturated fatty acids and contain fewer hydrogen atoms due to the presence of double bonds.

A one-sentence definition for a hydrocarbon would be: A hydrocarbon is an organic compound made up entirely of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Answer 2

Hydrocarbons are those compounds which are entirely made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

In biochemistry, Lipids are the macromolecules that contains a long chain hydrophobic (non polar) hydrocarbon chain and helps in building and functioning of the living cells. The examples of Lipids are waxes, oils, fats, harmones, non-protein membranes and certain vitamins.

Fatty Acids belong to the class of organic compounds called as carboxylic acids containing a long chain of hydrocarbons and a carboxylic functional group (-COOH) at one end.

Hydrocarbons: In organic chemistry hydrocarbons are those compounds which are entirely made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms. As the bonding between H and C atoms is non-polar therefore, the hydrocarbons are insoluble in polar solvents like water hence, are designated as hydrophobic (water fearing).