Tag: lipids and their function

Triglycerides or neutral fats or true fats are the esters of three molecules of fatty acids and one molecule of trihydric alcohol glycerol. Hence, they are also called triglycerides. Oils are liquid at room temperature. They possess either small or unsaturated fatty acid.

Linoleic acid (LA) is an essential fatty acid but is not synthesized in the human body. LA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid used in the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid (AA) and thus some prostaglandins, leukotrienes (LTA, LTB, LTC), and thromboxane (TXA). It is found in the lipids of cell membranes. It is abundant in many vegetable oils, comprising over half of poppy seed, safflower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oils.

Wax is ester of fatty acids with long chain monhydric alcohol. Cholesterol is the type of alcohol found in wax. It is not easily hydrolyzed like fat. It gives protection. It prevents excessive drying. It also provides water resistance. Beeswax, carnuba wax are examples of wax.

Saturated fatty acids are the fats that do not contain a double bond between the carbon atoms. Fatty acids chain are straight. Saturated fats are mostly found in animal fats and animal product. It is solid at room temperature e.g., butter. Saturated fatty acids are high melting than unsaturated fatty acids(low melting point and liquid at room temperature). Thus, the correct option is D.

Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature as they have double bonds. Saturated fatty acids have the single bond and are solid at room temperature. Hydrogenation is the process which involves the addition of hydrogen in the presence of nickel, palladium or platinum. On addition of hydrogen, the double bonds of fatty acids are reduced. 

Lipase is a type of enzyme known as hydrolse and is resposible for catalysing the hydrolysis of triglycerides into fatty aids and glycerol.

Arachidonic acid is a carboxylic acid which has 20 carbon and four double bonds in the cis configuration. It is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). It is mainly present in the membrane phospholipids and in platelets. It is also found in liver, erythrocytes, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle. Meat, egg, and fish are rich sources of arachidonic acid.

Essential fatty acids are those fatty acids that body cannot produce on its own and therefore must be supplied from the diet. Two primary essential fatty acids are linoleic acid and alpha-linoleic acid. Linoleic acid (omega-6) occurs in plant oils like corn oil, palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil. Alpha-linoleic acid (omega-3) occurs in fowl and fish like salmon, sardines, tuna.