A fat molecule consists of two kinds of parts: a glycerol backbone and three fatty acid tails . Glycerol is a small organic molecule with three hydroxyl (OH) groups, while a fatty acid consists of a long hydrocarbon chain attached to a carboxyl group.
What is the structure and function of fats?
Dietary fats are not just a source of energy; they function as structural building blocks of the body , carry fat-soluble vitamins, are involved in vital physiological processes in the body, and are indispensable for a number of important biological functions including growth and development.
What is the structure of fats and oils?
Fats and oils are composed of molecules known as triglycerides, which are esters composed of three fatty acid units linked to glycerol . An increase in the percentage of shorter-chain fatty acids and/or unsaturated fatty acids lowers the melting point of a fat or oil.
What is the structure of fat in food?
Structure of fat
Fatty acids found in foods and fats stored in the body are mainly present in the form of triacylglycerols (TAG, sometimes referred to as triglycerides); a glycerol molecule backbone to which three, often different, fatty acids are attached (Figure 1).
What are the structure of lipids?
Lipids are an essential component of the cell membrane. The structure is typically made of a glycerol backbone, 2 fatty acid tails (hydrophobic), and a phosphate group (hydrophilic) . As such, phospholipids are amphipathic.
What are the 7 functions of fat?
- Storing Energy. ...
- Insulating and Protecting. ...
- Regulating and Signaling. ...
- Aiding Absorption and Increasing Bioavailability. ...
- Contributing to the Smell, Taste, and Satiety of Foods. ...
- Providing Essential Fatty Acids. ...
- Attributions: ...
- References:
What are functions of fats?
Fat Functions
Triglycerides, cholesterol and other essential fatty acids–the scientific term for fats the body can’t make on its own–store energy, insulate us and protect our vital organs . They act as messengers, helping proteins do their jobs.
What is the chemical formula of fat?
| common name systematic name formula | stearic octadecanoic C 17 H 35 COOH | arachidic eicosanoic C 19 H 39 COOH | oleic cis-9-octadecenoic C 17 H 33 COOH | linoleic cis-9, cis-12-octadecadienoic C 17 H 31 COOH |
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What are the properties of fats and oils?
Each fat and oil have a range of physical, chemical and compositional parameters. Their important physicochemical properties are melting point, polymorphism, solid fat content and fatty acid composition . These properties assume a noteworthy part in deciding the quality of cookies and other bakery products.
What are the main components of fats and oils?
Triglycerides are the predominant component of most food fats and oils. The minor components include mono- and diglycerides, free fatty acids, phosphatides, sterols, fatty alcohols, fat-soluble vitamins, and other substances. A triglyceride is composed of glycerol and three fatty acids.
How do you classify fats?
- Saturated fat. Saturated fat is solid at room temperature, which is why it is also known as “solid fat.” It is mostly in animal foods, such as milk, cheese, and meat. ...
- Trans fat. This is a fat that has been changed by a process called hydrogenation. ...
- Unsaturated fat. ...
- Total fat.
Which fat is bad?
Two types of fats — saturated fat and trans fat — have been identified as potentially harmful to your health. Most of the foods that contain these types of fats are solid at room temperature, such as: butter.
What are the two types of fats?
Fats are either saturated or unsaturated , and most foods with fat have both types. But usually there is more of one kind of fat than the other.
What is lipid formula?
A lipid is an organic compound such as fat or oil. ... Lipids consist of repeating units called fatty acids. Fatty acids are organic compounds that have the general formula CH3(CH2)nCOOH , where n usually ranges from 2 to 28 and is always an even number.
What is the basic structure of a fatty acid?
Generally, a fatty acid consists of a straight chain of an even number of carbon atoms, with hydrogen atoms along the length of the chain and at one end of the chain and a carboxyl group (―COOH) at the other end . It is that carboxyl group that makes it an acid (carboxylic acid).
What is the basic structure and function of lipids?
A lipid is any of various organic compounds that are insoluble in water. They include fats, waxes, oils, hormones, and certain components of membranes and function as energy-storage molecules and chemical messengers .
