Textbook Question
Identify each of the following as a fatty acid, soap, triacylglycerol, wax, glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, or steroid:
d. glyceryl tripalmitate (tripalmitin)
Ch.15 Lipids
Timberlake14th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 Chemistry in Our Lives19
- Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements80
- Ch.3 Matter and Energy53
- Ch.4 Atoms and Elements58
- Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry42
- Ch.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds57
- Ch.7 Chemical Quantities and Reactions38
- Ch.8 Gases30
- Ch.9 Solutions50
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium64
- Ch.11 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons77
- Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones82
- Ch.13 Carbohydrates54
- Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides91
- Ch.15 Lipids61
- Ch.16 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes84
- Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis86
- Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production73
Timberlake14th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 15, Problem 79e
Identify each of the following as a fatty acid, soap, triacylglycerol, wax, glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, or steroid:
b. cholesterol
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the question. The problem asks you to classify 'cholesterol' into one of the given categories: fatty acid, soap, triacylglycerol, wax, glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, or steroid.
Step 2: Recall the definition of a steroid. Steroids are a class of lipids characterized by a structure consisting of four fused carbon rings (three cyclohexane rings and one cyclopentane ring). They are hydrophobic and include molecules like cholesterol, hormones, and bile salts.
Step 3: Identify the structure of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a lipid molecule with a four-ring steroid structure and a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to one of the rings. It is a key component of cell membranes and a precursor for steroid hormones.
Step 4: Compare cholesterol's structure to the definitions of the other categories. Cholesterol does not fit the definitions of fatty acids (long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxylic acid group), soaps (salts of fatty acids), triacylglycerols (glycerol esterified with three fatty acids), waxes (esters of long-chain alcohols and fatty acids), glycerophospholipids (glycerol backbone with two fatty acids and a phosphate group), or sphingolipids (lipids with a sphingosine backbone).
Step 5: Conclude that cholesterol is classified as a steroid based on its structure and properties.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Steroids
Steroids are a class of lipids characterized by a structure of four fused carbon rings. They play various roles in biological systems, including serving as hormones (like testosterone and estrogen) and components of cell membranes. Cholesterol, specifically, is a type of steroid that is crucial for maintaining membrane fluidity and serves as a precursor for the synthesis of other steroids.
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Steroids Concept 1
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a specific type of steroid that is essential for the formation of cell membranes and the synthesis of steroid hormones and bile acids. It is produced in the liver and can also be obtained from dietary sources. While necessary for various bodily functions, high levels of cholesterol can lead to health issues, such as cardiovascular disease.
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1:35Steroids Example 1
Classification of Lipids
Lipids are a diverse group of hydrophobic organic molecules that include fats, oils, waxes, and steroids. They can be classified into several categories based on their structure and function, such as fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids. Understanding these classifications is essential for identifying specific lipids, like cholesterol, and their roles in biological systems.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Identify each of the following as a fatty acid, soap, triacylglycerol, wax, glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, or steroid:
a. beeswax
1
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Textbook Question
Identify the components (1 to 6) contained in each of the following lipids (a to d):
1. glycerol
2. fatty acid
3. phosphate
4. amino alcohol
5. steroid nucleus
6. sphingosine
d. triacylglycerol
Textbook Question
Identify the components (1 to 6) contained in each of the following lipids (a to d):
1. glycerol
2. fatty acid
3. phosphate
4. amino alcohol
5. steroid nucleus
6. sphingosine
a. estrogen
Textbook Question
The total kilocalories and grams of fat for some typical meals at fast-food restaurants are listed here. Calculate the number of kilocalories and the percentage of total kilocalories from fat (1 gram of fat = 9 kcal). Round kcals to the tens place.
a. a beef burrito, 470 kcal, 21 g of fat