Question

Differentiate betweenthe structures of saturated

and unsaturated fatty acids withthe
use of appropriatediagrams.
b) Draw a typicallipid molecule and discuss how the
properties of a lipid contributeto
the structure and function of thecell membranes.

Answer 1

Fatty-acids:

Fatty acid is a form of lipid. While fatty acid is a long aliphatic stranded molecules in which the carboxylic molecules are chained with it, in such a way that the molecules are either posses single bonds between them or they have a double bond system between the atoms.

• Saturated Fatty acids: The saturated fatty acids have a single bond mechanism between the atoms in the aliphatic chain, as it is an un-branched, linear chains of CH₂ groups linked with one another.(Alkanes) i.e "-".
• Unsaturated Fatty acids:The unsaturated fatty acids posses the double bonding(Alkenes) between them.i.e "=".

b) Lipid Molecule:

The lipid molecules are complex structures which are insoluble in water and are moreover hydrophobic in nature. They consists of fatty acids, waxes and steroids in general.

Amphipathic lipids: A lipid molecule which consists of two main parts, as there is a water insoluble portion of the molecule the hydrophobic tail and the hydrophilic (head) part of the molecules which is water soluble.

Structure and function of the cell membrane:

• The cell membrane posses a form of lipid called as phospholipids, which acts as the main constituent of the cell membrane.
• The hydropbic part of the molecule is kept covered inside while on the outside the hydrophillic portion of the molecule exists, and due to the interaction between them the exchange of molecules occurs.

Along, with that the phospholipid along with the proteins molecules helps out to build and cover the cell membrane of the molecules.