LECT 6 – 10 LIPIDS

I. Choose the best answers

1. Lipids are anhydrous due to _________ nature

a. polar b. nonpolar c. ketone d. acidic

2. Lipids also supply the ________ fatty acids for growth

a. saturated b. nonessential c. unsaturated d. essential

3. Fatty acids are present in large quantities in most plant lipids is

a. unusual fatty acids b. major fatty acids c. minor fatty acids d. essential

4. The structure of fatty acid position of double bonds are specified by superscript is

a. Delta b. Omega c. alpha d. beta

5. The double bonds of all naturally occurring unsaturated fatty acids are in the form of

a. delta b. trans c. Cis d. omega

6. Triacyl glycerol that are solid at room temperature are called as

a. Oils b. Waxes c. glycerin d. fats

7. ___________belongs to n-3 family and is an essential fatty acid.

a. Linoleic acid b. Linolenic acid c. chaulmoogric acids d. Arachidonic acid

8. _______________is grouped under n-6 family because the 6th carbon from methyl end
possesses the double bond.

a. Linoleic acid b. Linolenic acid c. chaulmoogric acids d. Arachidonic acid

9. Fish oils and spirulina are rich in fatty acids of

a. n-6 family b. n-3 family c. n-6 and n-3 family d. none of the above

10. Most oil-producing plants store their lipids in the form of

a. Fats b. Oils c. Triacylglycerol d. fattyacids

11. Triacylglycerols are normally stored in the _____________ of the seed

a. endosperm b. mesopserm c. exosperm d. geosperm

12. Palm kernel and coconut oils contain higher amount of medium chain

a. saturated b. nonessential c. unsaturated d. essential

13. The leaves of higher plants contain upto ____% of their dry weight as fats

a. 5% b. 8% c. 7% d. 6%

14. ________ are esters of long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids with long chain
alcohol.

a. Oils b. Fats c. Waxes d. Triglycerides

15. About ___ % of the seed dry weight of jojoba consists of a liquid wax which is unique in the
plant kingdom and is similar to sperm whale oil.

a. 50% b. 65% c. 80% d. 75%

16. The outermost surface of the cell walls of epidermal cells are covered with a hydrophobic
cuticle which contains wax called

a. Liquid wax b. beeswax c. carnauba wax d. cuticular wax

17. _________ is a phospholipid that is found in membranes of mitochondria.

a. Lecithin b. cephalin c. Cardiolipin d. Inositol

18. __________ are found in the seeds of several plant species

a. Glycerophopsholipids b. Sphingophospholipids c. Phospholipids d. glycolipids

19. The most abundant mammalian phospholipid is phosphatidyl ________

a. Cephalin b. sphingosine c. lecithin d. choline

20. The _______ is mostly present in chloroplasts, predominantly in the membranes of thylakoid

a. sulpholipid b. glycolipids c. phospholipids d. sphingolipids

21. __________ is the fundamental structural unit common to all sphingophospholipids

a. Sphingosine b. Ceramide c. choline d. ethanolamine

22. ___________ are found in plant photosynthetic tissue

a. glycolipids b. sphingolipids c. Phospholipids d. sulpholipids

23. The protein part of lipoprotein is known as

a. glycoprotein b. phosphoprotein c. apoprotein d. All the above

24. ___________are substances that occur naturally in small amounts in many grains,
vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

a. Plant sterols b. animal sterol c. ergosterol d. stigmasterol

25. The sterol present in Yeast and fungi which has a double bond between C7 and C8 is

a. Plant sterols b. animal sterol c. ergosterol d. stigmasterol

26. ____________ as a precursor of various physiologically important compounds in steroids

a. sitosterol b. cholesterol c. ergosterol d. stanosterol

27. _____________are cholesterol-like substances that occur naturally at low levels in fruits,
vegetables, nuts and cereals.

a. ergosterol b. phytosterol c. sitosterol d. Lanosterol

28. _________ is a polyester of C16 and C18 oxygenated fatty acids and glycerol

a. suberin b. Cutin c. Triolein d. palmitolein

29. Peanut, olive and rapeseed oils are the richest in monoene _______

a. n-9 fatty acids b. n-3 fatty acids c. n-6 fatty acids d. n-5 fatty acids

30. Soya, corn, sunflower and walnut oils are very rich in one diene

a. n-9 fatty acids b. n-3 fatty acids c. n-6 fatty acids d. n-5 fatty acids

31. It is a major constituent of membrane phospholipids and is the principal precursor by

enzymatic action of hormone-like compounds known as eicosanoids including the prostaglandins

a. Linoleic acid b. Linolenic acid c. chaulmoogric acids d. Arachidonic acid

32. __________ (2, 4-hexadienoic acid), was first isolated in 1859 by AW von Hofmann from
the unripe berries of the Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia).

a. Erucic acid b. Chaulmoorgic acid c. Sorbic acid d. Linolenic acid

33. The Brassinosteroids (BRs) is biosynthesised from

a. a. sitosterol b. Campesterol c. ergosterol d. stanosterol

34. Campesterol is a precursor of anabolic steroid is

a. Androstanes b. Dienes c. Boldenone d. Estrone

35. BR which promotes the ethylene biosynthesis by stimulating _______activity

a. ACC synthase b. ACC kinase c. ACC hydratase d. ACC lyase

36. ________ stresses were also seemed to be allievated by treatment with brassinolide.

a. Physical b. Environmental c. biological d. chemical

37. The extract from the plant is allowed for use as a "plant strengthening substance”

a. brassinosteroid b. ecdynosteroid c. anabolic steroids d. sitosteroids

38. The alkali salt of fatty acid resulting from

a. Iodine b. Acid c. Saponification d. Polenske

39. When lipids are exposed to atmosphere an undesirable odor is determined as

a. Oxidative b. hydrolytic c. microbial d. rancidity

40. The conversion of liquid vegetable oil into solid vegetable ghee by reacting with hydrogen
gas in the presence of catalyst (Ni) at 200º C

a. Halogenation b. Hydrogenation c. Autooxidation d. Microbial degradation

41. When fats or oils are rubbed with water, the large molecules of lipids breaked into smaller
ones the process is

a. Esterification b. Saponification c. Emulsification d. Iodination

42. The Specific gravity of Lipids is

a. 0.56 b. 0.76 c. 0.96 d. 0.86

43. Lipids contain a carbohydrate attached to the sphingosine at the primary alcohol is

a. Cerebrosides b. Sphingomyelins c. Gangliosides d. glycolipids

44. Lipids serve as important intermediates in cell signaling pathways

a. sphingolipids b. phosphatidic acid c. lysophospholipids d. All of the above

45. Enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fats (lipids)

a. Esterase b. Lipase c. lyase d. phospholipase

46. Certain wasp and bee venoms contain

a. Esterase b. Lipase c. lyase d. phospholipase

47. An enzyme that hydrolyzes phospholipids into fatty acids and other lipophilic substances.

a. Hepatic lipase b. pancreatic Lipase c. phospholipase d. Lipoprotein lipase

48. ____________ are signaling molecules made by the enzymatic or non-enzymatic oxidation
of arachidonic acid.

a. Eicosanoids b. prostaglandins c. thromboxanes d. leukotrienes

49. ________ are fatty acids that contain more than one double bond in their backbone

a. MUFA b. HUFA c. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) d. UFAs

50. ________also occur naturally produced from vegetable fats

a. Trans fat b. Essential c. unsaturated d. saturated

Lipophilic hormones: Abscisic acid (ABA), Indole acetic acid (IAA), Gibberellins (GA), Cytokinins,
Salicylic acid (SA), and oxylipins like Jasmonic acid (JA) and its precursor cis(+)-12-oxo phytodienoic
acid (OPDA).

Small lipophilic molecules: Dehydroabietinal (DA), Azelaic acid (AzA), an unidentified Glycerol-3-

phosphate derivative (G3P*), and fatty acids.

Steroid lipids: Free, acylated and glycosylated derivatives of cholesterol, sitosterol, camposterol and
stigmasterol.

Glycerolipids: Diacylglyerol (DAG), Triacylglycerol (TAG), Phosphatidyl choline (PC), Phosphatidyl

inositol (PI), Phosphatidic acid (PA), Monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG).

Some of the well-known examples of lipids are as under:

Fatty acids: Palmitoleic, Oleic, Linoleic and Arachidonic acid.

Fats & Oils: Sunflower, Peanut, Palm, Lard, Herring oil, Human fat, Coconut oil, Corn, Butter,
Animal fats.

Waxes: Beeswax, Carnauba wax, Spermacti.

Phospholipids: Cephalins, Lecithins, Plasmalogens, Phosphatidyl inositols, Sphingomyelins.

Glycolipids: Phrenosin, Oxynervon, Nervon, Kerasin.

Steroids: C 21, C 24, C 27, C 28, C 29 steroids.

Terpenes: Triterpenes, Sesquiterpenes, Diterpenes, Monoterpenes.

Carotenoids: Xanthophylls, Lycopene, Carotenes.

Match the Following

Triacyl glycerols a. Polar Lipids -2

Phospholipids b. Biological membranes -4
Spingomyelins c. Found stored in adipocytes -1
Cholesterol d. Insulate nerve axons -3

Short chain Fatty acids a. 6-10 C atoms -2

Medium chain Fatty acids b. Less than 6-C atoms - 1
Long chain Fatty acids c. 22 or more Carbon atoms - 4
Very Long chain Fatty acids d. 12 or more Carbon atoms - 3

Omega 3 FA a. Safflower oil -3

Omega 6 FA b. Olive oil -4
Polyunsaturated FA c. Vegetable oil -2
Monounsaturated FA d. Flaxseed oil -1

Stigmasterol a. Vegetables, nuts and seeds - 3

β-sitosterol b. unsaturated phytosterol -1
Campesterol c. Cell membrane of Fungi -4
Ergosterol d. precursor of anabolic steroid -2

Phosphatidylinositol a. Soyabean -2
Phosphatidylcholines b. Yeast - 1
phosphatidylethanolamine c. white beans -4
Phosphatidylserine d. Bacteria - 3

Lipase a. Calcium dependent -3

Galactolipase b. Bile salt -4
Phospholipase c. Higher in chloroplast -2
Colipase d. Hydrolysis of fat -1
Descriptive Questions

1. What are the main types of lipids?

The main types of lipids are triglycerides (fats and oils), phospholipids, waxes and
steroids.

2. What is the molecular structure of glycerol?

Glycerol is a linear chain of three carbon atoms; the central carbon atom is bound to one
hydroxyl radical and to one hydrogen atom and the two other carbon atoms at the ends
are bound to a hydroxyl radical and to two hydrogen atoms. Spatial position side of the
hydroxyl radicals is the same.

3. What is the composition of triglycerides?

Triglycerides, which are fats or oils, are made up of three molecules of fatty acids bound
to one molecule of glycerol. Hydroxyls of each one of the three fatty acids and each
hydrogen atom of the hydroxyls of the glycerol bind to form three molecules of water
that are released.

4. What are phospholipids?

Phospholipids are molecules made up of one molecule of glycerol bound to two long
molecules of fatty acids and to one phosphate group. Therefore, phospholipids are
amphipathic molecules, meaning that they have a non-polar portion, due to the long fatty
acid chains, and a polar portion, due to the phosphate group.

Phospholipids are the main component of cell membranes. Sphingomyelin, the substance
that forms the myelin sheath of axons in the nervous system, is a phospholipid.

5. What are steroids? What are some examples of steroids with a biological function?

Steroids are lipids that consist of an angular combination of four carbon rings, three of
which are made of six carbon atoms and one of which, located at the end, made of five
carbon atoms in the extremity. The bond between each ring and the adjacent ring is made
through by the sharing of two adjacent carbon atoms which belong to both rings.

Bile salts, cholesterol, the sexual hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone,
corticosteroids and pro-vitamin D are examples of steroids.
6. What are hydrophobic molecules (or hydrophobic molecular regions)? What are
hydrophilic molecules? How can they be described in relation to their polarity?

Hydrophobic molecules are molecules with little or no propensity to dissolve in water

(hydro = water, phobia = fear). Hydrophilic molecules are those that have a large
propensity to dissolve in water (philia = friendship).

Water is a polar substance. Remembering the rule that “equal dissolves equal”, it is easy
to conclude that hydrophobic substances are non-polar molecules whereas hydrophilic
molecules are polar molecules.

7. How are lipids classified according to solubility?

Fats and oils are hydrophobic molecules, meaning that they are non-polar and insoluble
in water. Lipids in general are molecules with a large non-polar extension, making them
soluble in non-polar solvents, such as benzene, ether and chloroform.

There exist some amphipathic lipids, which are lipids with both a hydrophilic portion,
which gives them the property of water-solubility, as well as a hydrophobic portion,
which is non-polar.

8. What is meant by saturation or unsaturation when referring to oils and fats?

When a triglyceride is saturated, it means that in its molecule the carbon chain is bound
to hydrogen molecules in its maximum capacity, meaning that there are no double or
triple bonds between carbon atoms. Saturated molecules are generally solid fats at room
temperature.

Unsaturated triglyceride molecules are those in which there are double or triple bonds
between carbon atoms and, as a result, they are less hydrogenated than the saturated ones.
In general, these unsaturated molecules are oils, and are liquid at room temperature.

The terms saturated and unsaturated refer to the saturation of the carbonic chain by
hydrogen atoms.

9. How are lipids used as an energy source by the body?

Carbohydrates are the main energy source for aerobic cell respiration. When such
substances are absent or deficient, the body can use lipid stores since fats (like proteins)
can be broken down into acetyl-CoA to feed the Krebs cycle (a stage of aerobic cellular
respiration).
10. Why do fats have thermal insulation properties?

Triglycerides are poor heat conductors and, in addition, they form thick layers of fatty
tissue when accumulated in an organism. That is why they are good thermal insulators.

In animals that live in cold climates, such as polar bears, seals and whales, adipose tissue
helps the maintenance of internal body temperature.

11. What is the difference between fats and oils?

Fats are from animal sources, solid at room temperature, and are saturated. Oils usually
come from plants, stay liquid at room temperature, and are unsaturated.

12. Define Lipids.

Lipids are a class of organic compounds that are insoluble in water. Simply put, lipids are
non-polar and so cannot mix with water. However, lipids are soluble in other lipids and
some organic solvents like chloroform, benzene, and ether.

13. Describe the monomer and polymer of the neutral fats.

The monomers of the neutral fats are glycerol and fatty acid.

Glycerol is a 3-carbon alcohol that serves as the backbone of a neutral fat molecule. Fatty
acids are long chains of carbon and hydrogen.

Fatty acids are the energy store of the neutral fats.

They are hydrocarbons, meaning lots and lots of high energy carbon-to-hydrogen bonds.
At the end of the fatty acid is an ester that will bond to the glycerol.

The neutral fat polymer is called a triglyceride.

Dehydration synthesis bonds 3 fatty acid chains to the glycerol molecule and removes 3
water molecules. Just like the other classes of organic compounds, triglycerides are
reduced to glycerols and fatty acids again through hydrolysis.

14. What is the difference between a monounsaturated and a polyunsaturated fat?

When there is only one double bond in each fatty acid, the fat is monounsaturated. Olive
oil is mostly monounsaturated fat. If the fatty acids have more than one double bond, it
is polyunsaturated. Canola oil is mostly polyunsaturated fat.
15. Compare the energy content of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Fats have the greatest calorie content at a whopping 9 Calories per gram. Carbohydrates
and proteins only have 4 Calories per gram a piece.

16. Define steroids.

Steroids are lipids. Steroids have a structure that is very different from triglycerides or
phospholipids. The core of every steroid is four fused carbon rings. One steroid is
different from each other is the side chains that arise from this central core.

17. What is Glycerophospholipids?

Glycerophospholipid which contains glycerol, fatty acids phosphoric acid and a
nitrogenous base.

18. What is Lecithin (Phosphatidyl choline)?

Lecithin contains glycerol, fatty acids, phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous base, choline

19. Define Phosphatidyl serine

The hydroxyl group of the amino acid L-serine is esterified to the phosphatidic acid

20. Define Cardiolipin (Phosphatidyl glycerol)

Cardiolipin is a phospholipid that is found in membranes of mitochondria.

21. What is Phosphatidyl ethanolamine (Cephalin)?

The cephalin differs from lecithin only in the nitrogenous group where ethanolamine is
present instead of choline

22. Write a short note on Sphingophospholipids?

The phosphate and fatty acids are attached to the alcohol sphingosine instead of glycerol
in sphingophospholipids. When a fatty acid is attached by an amide linkage to the -NH2,
group the resulting compound is a ceramide which is similar to diacyl glycerol Ceramide
is the fundamental structural unit common to all sphingophospholipids
Sphingophospholipids are found in the seeds of several plant species.
23. Define Sulpholipids

The sulpholipid is mostly present in chloroplasts, predominantly in the membranes of

thylakoid. The 3 position of 1, 2-diacylglycerol is linked to 6- sulpho-6-deoxy D-glucose
by an -glycosidic bond in plant sulpholipid. The predominant fatty acid present in
sulpholipid is linolenic acid.

24. What is Lipoproteins?

Protein molecules associated with triacylglycerol, cholesterol or phospholipids are called

lipoproteins. The major lipid components of chylomicrons and VLDL are
triacylglycerol, whereas the predominant lipids in LDL and HDL are cholesterol and
phospholipid.

25. Write a short note on Sterols?

The characteristic structure of sterol is their steroid nucleus consisting of four fused
rings, three with six carbons (Phenanthrene) and one with five carbons (cyclopentane).
This parent structure is known as perhydro cyclopentano phenanthrene.

In plants, cholesterol functions as an intermediate compound in the synthesis of various

phytosteroids such as saponins, cardiac glycosides, phytoecdysteroids and
brassinosteroids.
In animal system, cholesterol functions as a precursor of various physiologically
important compounds such as vitamin D, bile acids, female sex hormones and
corticosteroids.
Yeast and fungi have another sterol named ergosterol which has a double bond
between C7 and C8.

26. What is Brassinosteroids?

A novel plant growth regulating steroidal substance called brassinolide was isolated
from rape (Brassica napus) pollen. Uses: It increases the production of agronomic and
horticultural crops (wheat, corn, tobacco, watermelon and cucumber).
27. Define Emulsification

Though fats are insoluble in water, they can be broken down into minute droplets and
dispersed in water

28. Write a short note on rancidity

Development of disagreeable odor and taste in fat or oil upon storage is called
rancidity.

Rancidity reactions may be due to hydrolysis of ester bonds (hydrolytic rancidity) or

due to oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids (oxidative rancidity).

29. Hydrogenation

The degree of unsaturation of the fatty acids present in triacylglycerol determines

whether a fat is liquid or solid at room temperature.

30. What is Saponification Number?

It is defined as milligrams of KOH required to saponify 1 gm of fat or oil.

31. Iodine Number of Oil (or) Iodine Value

The number of grams of iodine taken up by 100 grams of fat or oil.

32. R.M Number (Reichert-Meisel number)

The number of milliliters of 0.1 N alkali required to neutralize the soluble volatile fatty
acids contained in 5 gm of fat. It is also use to measure of the volatile soluble fatty acids.

33. Polanski Number

The number of milliliters of 0.1 N potassium hydroxide solution required to neutralize
the insoluble fatty acids (not volatile with steam distillation) obtained from 5 gm of fat.
34. Define Acetyl Number

The amount in milliliters of potassium hydroxide solution required to neutralize the

acetic acid obtained by saponification of 1 gm of fat or oil after acetylation.

35. Define Acid Number

The milligram of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize the free fatty acids present
in one gram of fat or oil.

36. Liposomes

When a lipid bilayer folds back on itself to form a hollow sphere called a liposome or
vesicle.

37. What is Ganglioside?

A ganglioside is a molecule composed of a glycosphingolipid (ceramide and

oligosaccharide) with one or more sialic acids (e.g. n-acetylneuraminic acid, NANA)
linked on the sugar chain.

38. Cerebrosides

Any of a group of complex lipids present in the sheaths of nerve fibres.

39. Globoside

A globoside is a type of glycosphingolipid with more than one sugar as the side chain
(or R group) of ceramide.
40. Ceramide

A ceramide is composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid.

41. Bile acids

Bile acids are about 80% of the organic compounds in bile (others are phospholipids and
cholesterol). Bile is a fluid that is made and released by the liver and stored in the
gallbladder. Bile helps with digestion. It breaks down fats into fatty acids, which can be
taken into the body by the digestive tract.
chenodeoxycholic acid (45%) and cholic acid (31%).

Bile acids are conjugated with taurine or glycine in the liver, and the sodium and
potassium salts of these conjugated bile acids are called bile salts (cholic, deoxycholic,
chenodeoxycholic, and lithocholic acids).

42. Functions of Phospholipids

Phospholipids help the cell maintain its internal structures and environment, a process
called “homeostasis”. In plants, phospholipids serve as a raw material to produce
Jasmonic acid, a plant hormone that mediates defensive responses against any disease
causing agents.

43. Do plants contain fatty acids?

Humans and animals cannot create double bonds after the third and sixth carbon on the
chain, but plants can. Only plants can synthesize omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and
omega-6 fats (linoleic acid) which are therefore referred to as “essential” fatty acids.
44. What is a plant fat?

Plant fats, such as nuts, seeds, avocados, olives, and oils made from plants like
sunflowers, olives, soybean, and safflower, tend to have a higher proportion of
monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), with
the exception of coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils.

45. What plants have Omega 3 Fatty acids?

Chia Seeds. Chia seeds are known for their many health benefits, bringing a hefty dose
of fiber and protein with each serving.
Brussels Sprouts, Algal Oil, Hemp Seed, Walnuts, Flaxseeds, Perilla Oil.

Mungo beans: Mungo beans are particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 Content of Natural Oils

Flaxseed 53-62%
Canola 11%
Walnut 10%
Wheat germ 7%
Soybean 7%

46. Are lipids found in plants?

All plants contain oils (ex. olive oil) or fats (ex. cocoa butter) and mainly in their seeds.
In most plants storage lipids are in the form of triglycerides.
 
47. Omega – 6- Fatty acids found in Plants

Omega-6 fatty acids in the form of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and LA are found in the
plant seed oils of evening primrose, black currant, borage, and fungal oils.
 48. Omega – 9 Fatty acids

Omega-9 fatty acids are monounsaturated, meaning they only have one double bond.
Oleic acid is the most common omega-9 fatty acid and the most common
monounsaturated fatty acid in the diet.

49. What are EPA and DHA fatty acids?

EPA and DHA stand for eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid
respectively. These fatty acids are omega-3 fats, which are found in cold water fish.
EPA DHA are highly unsaturated fats because they contain six and five double bonds on
their long structural chains.

50. What does Omega 7 fatty acids?

Omega-7 fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids found in certain fish, like salmon and
anchovy, and oils such as olive oil, macadamia oil, and sea buckthorn oil.
Palmitoleic acid is one of the most common omega-7s
Macadamia nut, an orange-colored, grape-sized fruit pulp called sea buckthorn berries.

Omega-3s in 100 grams

 Salmon: 4.0 grams EPA and DHA

 Mackerel: 3.0 grams EPA and DHA
 Sardines: 2.2 grams EPA and DHA
 Anchovies: 1.0 grams EPA and DHA
 Chia seeds: 4.9 grams ALA
 Walnuts: 2.5 grams ALA
 Flaxseeds: 2.3 grams ALA
Omega-6s in 100 grams (3.5 oz) of the following foods:

 Soybean oil: 50 grams

 Corn oil: 49 grams
 Mayonnaise: 39 grams
 Walnuts: 37 grams
 Sunflower seeds: 34 grams
 Almonds: 12 grams
 Cashew nuts: 8 grams

Omega-9s in 100 grams

 Olive oil: 83 grams

 Cashew nut oil: 73 grams
 Almond oil: 70 grams
 Avocado oil: 60 grams
 Peanut oil: 47 grams
 Almonds: 30 grams
 Cashews: 24 grams
 Walnuts: 9 grams