Pre-Laboratory Sheet

Lipids

Objectives:
1. Familiarize himself/herself with the different classes of lipids; and
2. Identify each kind of lipid based on the chemical properties of its hydrolyzed products.

Study guide questions:

1. In terms of structure. polypeptides/proteins are made of the atoms, C, H, O, and N. It is
consists of an a-NH group (except for proline), carboxyl group and a side chain. In
polysaccharides/carbohydrates, they consist of the atoms C, H, and O. It is general chemical
formula is Cx(H2O)y. Lipids are also made up of the atoms C, H, and O. However, unlike
carbohydrates, it does not follow a 1:2:1 ratio of C, H, and O. rather lipids have a greater
than 2:1 H and ratio, making them have a much lower proportion of water than other
molecules. In addition, unlike polysaccharides and proteins, lipids are cannot form polymer
since they lack a repeating monomeric unit.

2. Lipids may be either liquid at room temperature (unsaturated fatty acids) or solid at room
temperature (saturated fatty acids). They are usually characterized as colorless, tasteless,
and odorless. Unlike other biomolecules, lipids are insoluble to water with no ionic change

3. Triglycerides are known as the stored fat in our body. They are made up of a ester bond
between glycerol and 3 unsaturated or saturated fatty acids.
Waxes serves as a protective coating in most living things, such as plants and --- they prevent
the water loss. They are typically composed of a long alcohol chain called monohydric and
have only one unsaturated or saturated fatty acids.
Phospholipids, also known as glycerophospholipids contain both a hydrophilic and
hydrophobic region that allow them to interact with polar and non-polar substances. It is
composed of a glycerol backbone, phosphoric acid, two unsaturated or saturated (or a
combination of both) fatty acids, and a nitrogen containing compound (choline,
ethanolamine, or serine)
Steroids are known to have 17 carbon atoms arranged in a four linked carbon rings with an
OH group attached at a particular site. Cholesterol is the most common type of steroid and
acts as the precursor to vitamin D, bile salts and hormones.

4. Spotting test detect the present of lipids in a given solution. The principle behind this test is
is that most lipid or grease are known to be non-volatile because of their high boiling point.
In room temperature, the a solution that does not contain lipids such as water disappear
because water can absorb enough heat from the surrounding air and evaporated. Lipid
containing solution on the other hand, would have create an translucent spot after being in
exposed in a long period of time,
5.
Sample Water Methylene chloride Ether Toluene
Vegetable oil x   
Lecithin  (partially   
soluble)
 6.
Test Reagent/s Principle involved Visible Result Group/s detected
and/or
Conditions
Spotting Droplets of the No principle involved Translucent spot Lipids
effect samples
Acrolein KHSO4 Dehydration Burnt fat smell/ Glycerol
irritating odor
of acrolein 
Bromine Br2 in H2O Halogenation Colorless Unsaturated Fatty
water solution acids

Molisch H2SO4 & a-napthol Dehydration & Condensation Violet ring Glycolipids
Ninhydrin Ninhydrin reagent Decarboxylation & Deamination Violet precipitate a-NH group
(C9H6O4)
Soda Lime Soda lime (combination Deamination Red Blue Litmus Sphingolipids
of Ca(OH)2 with NaOH (Color change of
or KOH) litmus paper)
Ammonium Ammonium Hydrolysis Yellow Phosphate group
molybdate Phosphomolybdate precipitate
Liebermann- Acetic anhydrite, Dehydration & oxidation Deep green Cholesterol
Burchard H2SO4, methylene precipitate
chloride

7. Lecithin would give a positive result in the following:

1. Spotting effect test since it is a lipid
2. Ammonium molybdate test since it contains a phospholipid
3. Acrolein test since it contains a glycerol
4. Bromine water since it contains unsaturated fatty acid (C=C is present in its structure)

8. Sphingomyelin are most abundantly found in the protective coating of the myelin sheath of
the nerve cells. This would give a positive visible results in the following tests:
1. Spotting effect since it is a lipid
2. Ammonium molybdate test since it contains a phosphoric acid
3. Soda Lime since Sphingomyelin is a type of sphingolipid containing sphingosine
4. Bromine water since there is a present of unsaturated fatty acid (C=C is present in its
structure)

References
amrita.olabs.edu.in,. (2015). Qualitative Analysis of Oils and Fats. Retrieved 14 October 2021, from
amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=73&brch=8&sim=210&cnt=1

Aryal, S. (2021, July 26). Lipids- definition, properties, structure, types, examples, functions.
Microbe Notes. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://microbenotes.com/lipids-
properties-structure-classification-and-functions/.

BYJU'S. (2021, February 1). Tests of oils and fats - chemistry practicals class 12. BYJUS.
Retrieved October 19, 2021, from https://byjus.com/chemistry/tests-of-oils-and-fats/.

Courses Lumen. (n.d.). Biology for majors I. Biology for Majors I | Simple Book Production. Retrieved
October 15, 2021, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-wmopen-biology1/.

Courses Lumen. (n.d.). Comparing Biological Macromolecules. Comparing Biological

Macromolecules | Biology for Majors I. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-wmopen-biology1/chapter/comparing-
biological-macromolecules/.

Lecithin - structure and properties, dietary and commercial sources, role in health and disease,
commercial importance. Structure And Properties, Dietary And Commercial Sources, Role In
Health And Disease, Commercial Importance - Fatty, Acids, Components, and Substance - JRank
Articles. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2021, from
https://science.jrank.org/pages/3884/Lecithin.html.