56

LIPIDS

I. Definition and Overview

- are organic compounds that are found in or derived from living organisms
which are insoluble in water but soluble in non – polar solvents like CHCl3,
CCl4, ether and alcohol
- are usually made up of fatty acids and alcohol.
-

II. Fatty Acids

- common component of most lipids.
- long chain carboxylic acids which has even number of Carbons.
contains contains COOH
10 or more carbons

A. Classification of Fatty Acids:

Fatty acids are classified according to the type of bonds present

1. Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA)

- fatty acids which contain Carbon to carbon single bonds only.

2. Unsaturated Fatty Acids

- fatty acids which contain Carbon to carbon double bonds.

a. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA)

- fatty acids which contain only one Carbon to carbon double bond.

b. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA)

- fatty acids which contains two or more Carbon to carbon double
bonds.
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B. Properties of Fatty Acids

1. Structure

Saturated fatty acids have straight chain structures while unsaturated fatty
acids have kinks or bends. The presence of double bonds causes a 30° bend in
the molecule.
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2. Melting Point
The figures below show comparisons of melting points of different
fatty acids:

As seen in the figure, the melting point of fatty acids increases as the
number of Carbon increases. Saturated fatty acids with ten or more
Carbons are solid at room temperature.

When the melting points of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are
compared, it is evident from the graph that saturated fatty acids have
higher melting points than unsaturated fatty acids with the same number
of carbons.
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3. Strength of Intermolecular Attractions

Saturated fatty acids extend and stack regularly which increases

intermolecular attraction. Double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids causes
30° bends. Such “kinked” molecules cannot stack in an organized manner
and decreases intermolecular attractions resulting to lower melting
points.

The table below shows a comparison of the properties of saturated and

unsaturated fatty acids:
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C. Essential Fatty Acids

- are fatty acids needed in the human body that must be obtained from
dietary sources because it cannot be synthesized within the body in
adequate amounts.

Two essential fatty acids:

1. Linoleic acid
- is the primary member of the omega – 6 fatty acids.
- the starting material for the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid which is
the major starting material for substances that help regulate blood
pressure, clotting and several body functions.

2. Linolenic acid
a. is the primary member of the omega – 3 fatty acids.
b. the starting material for the biosynthesis of two other omega –
3 fatty acids which are important constituents of
communication membranes of the brain and are necessary for
proper brain development:
i. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
ii. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

D. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids:

1. Omega – 3 fatty acid
- an unsaturated fatty acid with its endmost double bond three
carbons away from its methyl end.
- commonly found in cold-water fishes.

2. Omega – 6 fatty acid

- an unsaturated fatty acid with its endmost double bond six carbons
away from its methyl end.
- commonly found in plant oils.

Examples:

Omega-3
fatty acids
since the last
double bond is
three carbons
away from the
methyl end.

Omega-6
fatty acids
since the last
double bond is
six carbons
away from the
methyl end.
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Activity No. 10
Fatty Acids

Name: ___________________________Prog.,Yr.,& Sec.:_______Date:____Score:___

For each of the Fatty Acids below,

Write A for saturated fatty acids
I for monounsaturated fatty acids
M for polyunsaturated fatty acids

Palmitic acid: ____ Palmitoleic acid : ____

O O
ll ll
OH – C – (CH2)14 – CH3 OH – C – (CH2)7 – CH = CH – (CH2)5 – CH3

Oleic acid : ____ Stearic acid: ____

O O
ll ll
OH – C – (CH2)7 – CH = CH – (CH2)7 – CH3 OH – C – (CH2)16 – CH3

Linoleic acid : ____

O
ll
OH – C – (CH2)7 – CH = CH – CH2 – CH = CH – (CH2)4 – CH3

Arachidonic acid : ____

O
ll
OH –C –(CH2)3 –CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–CH2–CH=CH–(CH2)4–CH3

Linolenic acid : ____ Arachidic acid : ____

O O
ll ll
OH-C-(CH2)7 –CH=CH-CH2-CH=CH-CH2-CH=CH-CH2-CH3 OH – C – (CH2)18 – CH3
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B. For each pair/triad of fatty acids, choose the one with a higher melting point. Write
the CAPITAL LETTER of your choice. Refer to the fatty acids in Part A. (7 pts)

____ A. palmitic acid B. stearic acid C. arachidic acid

____ A. oleic acid B. stearic acid

____ A. linoleic acid B. linolenic acid C. oleic acid

____ A. arachidic acid B. arachidonic acid

____ A. palmitoleic acid B. palmitic acid

____ A. oleic acid B. palmitoleic acid

____ A. linoleic acid B. oleic acid C. stearic acid

C. Refer to the fatty acids in Part A to answer the following:

Which of the fatty acids is an omega – 3 fatty acid? _______________

Which of the fatty acid is an essential fatty acid? _________________

Is arachidonic acid an omega-6 fatty acid? Why or why not?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Between arachidonic and arachidic acid,

a. which of the two would not have bends in its structure? Explain your
choice.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

b. which of the two would have weaker intermolecular attraction?

Explain your choice.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Which of the fatty acids in Part A would have the most number of bends in its
structure? Explain your choice.

________________________________________________________________
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