AP Biology Unit 1 Lipids

Front

What are lipids?

Back

Lipids are a diverse group of hydrophobic organic molecules that include fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.

Front

Are lipids considered polymers?

Back

No, lipids are not considered polymers because they are not made up of repeating monomer units.

Front

What does amphipathic mean in relation to phospholipids?

Back

Amphipathic means that phospholipids have both a hydrophilic (polar) head and hydrophobic (nonpolar) tails.

Front

How do phospholipids differ from fats in terms of structure?

Back

Phospholipids have two fatty acid tails, while fats (triglycerides) have three fatty acid tails.

Front

What is the role of the phosphate group in phospholipids?

Back

The phosphate group is polar and interacts with water, making phospholipids suitable for forming cell membranes.

Front

What is a key characteristic of lipids that makes them hydrophobic?

Back

Lipids are composed mostly of hydrocarbons, which are nonpolar and do not interact well with water.

Front

Which of the following is NOT a lipid: Steroid, Fat, Lipase, Phospholipid?

Back

Lipase is NOT a lipid; it is an enzyme that breaks down lipids.

Front

What is the primary function of lipids in biological systems?

Back

Lipids serve as energy storage, structural components of cell membranes, and signaling molecules.

Front

What type of bond is primarily found in saturated fats?

Back

Saturated fats primarily contain single bonds between carbon atoms.

Front

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

Back

Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds.