Understanding Lipids

The video introduces lipids, highlighting their diverse functions such as energy storage, cell membrane composition, insulation, and hormone function. Lipids are hydrophobic and consist of glycerol and fatty acids. The video explains the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats, focusing on the presence of double bonds. It also covers phospholipids, which have a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail, forming cell membranes, and steroids like cholesterol, which play roles in cell membranes and hormones.

Which of the following is NOT a function of lipids?

• Insulation

• Cell membrane composition

• Long-term energy storage

• Short-term energy supply

What characteristic do all lipids share?

• They are hydrophobic

• They are ionic

• They are hydrophilic

• They are polar

What determines whether a fat is saturated or unsaturated?

• The presence of glycerol

• The length of the carbon chain

• The presence of double bonds

• The number of fatty acids

What is a key feature of phospholipids?

• They have a hydrophobic head

• They are completely nonpolar

• They have a polar head and a nonpolar tail

• They have a hydrophilic tail

Which of the following is an example of a steroid?

• Triglyceride

• Phospholipid

• Cholesterol

• Glycerol