Q) Explain the structural adaptations of triglycerides to their functions
Main points | |
Key idea: | What is triglycerides + components + formation |
· A lipid formed fr 1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids (FA), via 3 ester linkages · Ref to each ester linkage – condensation rx, -OH gp of glycerol reacts w carboxyl group (-COOH) of a fatty acid | |
Key idea: | Long term energy storage molecule, esp useful for hibernating or migratory animals |
· Compared to an equal mass of carbo, triglyceride has a larger no of H atoms to O atoms · Due to its long hydrocarbon chains of the 3 FA component of the mol · Provide more energy when oxidized · B/c it contains a lot of energy in a given mass - esp useful for hibernating animals (e.g. polar bears) and migratory animals where small body mass is needed | |
Key idea: | Insolubility in water |
· Due to 3 long hydrophobic hydrocarbon tails of mol · Enhance its energy storage fn as it does not affect osmotic potential of storage cell | |
Key idea: | Source of metabolic water |
· H atoms of mol give rise to water upon oxidation · Useful for desert animals (e.g. camels) | |
Key idea: | Provides buoyancy to aquatic animals |
· Its molecular struc makes it less dense than water, so provide buoyancy to aquatic animals (e.g. whales, seals) | |
Key idea: | Thermal insulator |
· Good thermal insulator - prevents excessive heat loss in aquatic animals | |
Key idea: | Protects internal organs |
· Protective layer for delicate internal organs (e.g. kidney) of animals | |
Comments: (i) Visualize the answer with the aid of a labelled diagram of the molecular structure (you should be able to draw the formation and hydrolysis of triglyceride and phospholipid) (ii) Verbalize the answer + write down the main points w/o referring to the answer (use abbreviations) (iii) Read again within the next 24h & once more within 72h (do not spend more than 10min) | |
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