Quiz #3:      February 3, 2005

1.    Draw and name a storage lipid.

2.    Draw and name a structural lipid.

For questions #1 and 2 can draw the appropriate structure for the following categories:


3.    Describe the dependence (in molecular terms) of the melting point of a fatty acid upon,
a.    Chain length:
The longer the acyl chain the higher the melting point. More thermal energy needed to disrupt the large surface area between tightly packed acyl chains. Longer chains means greater surface area, means more energy (heat) required to disrupt noncolvaent forces.

b.    Unsaturation
the more unsaturation, the less the melting temperature. Less thermal energy needed to disrupt the surface area between loosely packedunsaturated chains. Greater unsaturation means less surface area, means less energy (heat) required to disrupt noncolvaent forces.