Textbook Question
How do chylomicrons differ from VLDL?
Ch.15 Lipids
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 Chemistry in Our Lives11
- Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements80
- Ch.3 Matter and Energy54
- Ch.4 Atoms and Elements51
- Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry42
- Ch.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds57
- Ch.7 Chemical Quantities and Reactions41
- Ch.8 Gases29
- Ch.9 Solutions51
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium65
- Ch.11 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons78
- Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones83
- Ch.13 Carbohydrates54
- Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides90
- Ch.15 Lipids61
- Ch.16 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes84
- Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis83
- Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production67
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 15, Problem 45b
Identify the following features of this phospholipid, which is abundant in the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells:
b. What is the fatty acid?
Verified step by step guidance1
Examine the structure of the phospholipid provided in the image. Identify the two hydrophobic tails attached to the glycerol backbone. These tails are typically derived from fatty acids.
Determine which of the two hydrophobic tails corresponds to the fatty acid. Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) at one end.
Analyze the chemical structure of the tail to confirm it is a fatty acid. Look for the absence of functional groups like phosphate or amine, which would indicate it is not a fatty acid.
Identify the specific fatty acid by counting the number of carbon atoms in the chain and noting the presence or absence of double bonds. This will help determine whether the fatty acid is saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (one or more double bonds).
Name the fatty acid based on its structure. Use the IUPAC naming system or common names if applicable (e.g., palmitic acid for a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Phospholipid Structure
Phospholipids are molecules composed of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) 'head' and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) 'tails' made of fatty acids. This unique structure allows them to form bilayers, which are fundamental to cell membranes, including the myelin sheath that insulates nerve cells.
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Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains that can be saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (one or more double bonds). They are key components of phospholipids, influencing membrane fluidity and functionality, particularly in the context of myelin, which is crucial for efficient nerve signal transmission.
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Myelin Sheath
The myelin sheath is a protective layer that surrounds the axons of nerve cells, composed mainly of lipids, including phospholipids. This sheath enhances the speed of electrical impulses along the nerve fibers, playing a vital role in the nervous system's overall efficiency and functionality.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Describe the similarities and differences between triacylglycerols and glycerophospholipids.
Textbook Question
Identify the following glycerophospholipid, which is found in the nerves and spinal cord in the body, as a lecithin or cephalin, and list its components:
Textbook Question
Identify the following features of this phospholipid, which is needed for the brain and nerve tissues:
a. Is the phospholipid formed from glycerol or sphingosine?
Textbook Question
Draw the condensed structural formula for the cephalin that contains glycerol, two palmitic acids, phosphate, and ethanolamine (ionized).
Textbook Question
Draw the structure for cholesterol.