BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY
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ACTIVITY 3
CHEMISTRY OF LIPIDS
Objectives:
1. To study physical and chemical properties of lipids.
2. To describe the solubility of animal oil and plant oil in different solvents and solutions
3. To relate the importance of lipids to daily life.
Discussion:
The lipids are a large and diverse group of naturally occurring organic compounds that are related
by their solubility in nonpolar organic solvents (e.g. ether, chloroform, acetone & benzene) and
general insolubility in water. Their insolubility can be attributed solely to their long hydrophobic
hydrocarbon chains. They are either hydrophobic (non-polar) or amphipathic (polar and nonpolar
regions) the fat deposits of animals contains mainly triacylglycerol, which is an ester of glycerol
with three fatty acid molecules. These hydrophobic chains may be saturated or unsaturated.
Unsaturated chains contain double or triple covalent bonds between adjacent carbons while
saturated chains consist of all single bonds.
Lipids are composed of a glycerol molecule bonded to long hydrocarbon chain(s) (can be single
or multiple) and, depending on the lipid, to other molecules—such as a phosphate group
(phospholipids).
Lipids perform three biological functions: (1) lipids in the form of a bilayer are essential
components of biological membranes, (2) lipids with hydrocarbon side chains serve as energy
stores and (3) many intra- and intercellular signaling events involve lipid molecules.
Lipids can be classified into three groups namely; simple lipids, compound lipids, and
derived lipids. Simple lipids include glyceride and waxes. Compound lipids are of three major
types; phospholipids, sphingolipids, and lipoproteins. Derived lipids consist of steroid and fat
soluble.
Cholesterol is an example of a membrane lipid. It is a steroid and they are built from 4 fused
hydrocarbon rings. The hydrocarbon tail is connected to the steroid at one end, and a hydroxyl
group is connected to the other end. There are test to determine the presence of cholesterol, these
are Liebermann-Buchard Reaction and Salkowski Test.
Name: ______________________________ Date Performed _________________________
Course/Year/Section __________________ Date Submitted: _________________________
Group No: __________________________ Name of Instructor: ______________________
ACTIVITY 3
CHEMISTRY OF LIPIDS
What are the different test for Lipids? Describe each.
Compare and Contrast Liebermann-Burchard Test & Salkowki Test.
Supplementary Questions:
1. Give a brief understanding of the following terms: Phospholipids, sphingolipids,
glycolipids, steroids, cholesterol and prostaglandins?
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2. What are the chemical properties of lipids?
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3. What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids? Give examples?
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4. What is an essential fatty acid? Give an example?
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5. Is there any difference between emulsification and saponification?
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6. What is the implication of inadequate essential fatty acids in a person’s diet?
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Conclusion:
