Lipids!!

Lipids:

4 major types of molecules:

1.) 

2.) Lipids

3.) 

4.) Nucleic Acids

Insoluble in water-dont dissolve

     Long chains of repeating CH2 units

     Renders molecule non polar

Types of Lipids:All non polar

Type                                                  Organismal Use                                                                      Human Uses

*Fats                                             Long term energy storage & thermal insulation in animals               Butter, lard

*Oils                                              Long term energy storage in plants and their seeds                        Cooking oils

*Phospholipids                               Component of plasma membrane                                                  No-stick pan spray

*Steroids                                       Component of plasma membrane; hormones                                  Medicines

*Waxes                                          Wear resistance; retain water                                                       Candles, polishes

Triglycerides(fats)

     Long term energy storage

     Backbone of one glycerol molecule

      -Three carbon alcohol

      -Each has an OH group

     Three fatty acids attached to each glycerol molecule

      -Long hydrocarbon chain

      -Saturated- no double bonds between carbons

      -Unsaturated- >_ 1 double bonds between carbons

      -Carboxylic acid at one end

      -Carboxylic acide connects to -OH on glycerol in dehydration reaction

         Unsaturated- Corn, Corn Oil-double bonds "missing hydrogens" Saturated- Milk, Butter-hydrogens

Phospholipids

     Derived from triglycerides

     Two fatty acids attached instead of three

     Third fatty acid replace by phosphate group

      -The fatty acids are non polar and hydrophobic

      -The phosphate group is polar and hydrophilic

     Molecules self arrange when placed in water

      -Polar phosphate "heads" next to water

      -Non polar fatty acids "tails" overlap and exclude water

      -Spontaneously form double layer and a sphere

Steroids & Waxes

     Steroids

     Cholesterol, testosterone, estrogen

     Skeletons of four fused carbon rings

     Waxes

     Long-chain fatty acids bonded to a long chain alcohol

      High Melting point

      Waterproof

      Resistant to degradation

     

Collagen!

Collagen is your most plentiful protein. Around one quarter of all the protein in the human body is collagen! It forms molecular cables that help strengthen the tendons. Ever wonder how teeth are made? Well, they are made by adding mineral crystals to collagen! Without collagen we wouldn't have our body structure. Collagen supports the softer tissues and connects them with the skeleton. Although it plays a big part in our body, it is a relatively simple protein. Three chains- thats what collagen is composed of, while wound together in a tight triple helix. Each and every chain is over 1400 amino acids long! Every third amino acid is whats called glycine, which is a small amino acid that fits perfectly inside the helix. So where do the remaining positions in the chains go? They are filled by two unexpected amino acids. There must be something that is critical for collagen stability right? Of course! Its hydroxyproline. Sadly our body cannot make Vitamin C, therefore it is very important to get enough, or else the results can be disastrous. A shortage of Vitamin C slows the production of hydroxyproline, and stops the construction of new collagen, causing scurvy. What are some of the symptoms of scurvy? Loss of teeth and easy bruising. They are caused by the lack of collagen to repair the wear and tear that may be caused by everyday activities.

Just a little knowledge on Carbohydrates!

There are three different things that make up carbohydrates; Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Polysaccharides. Monosaccarides are "single sugars" three things in monosaccarides are ribose, galactose, and fructose. Disaccarides are "two sugars" and include sucrose, maltose, and lactose. Polysaccarides include starches. Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. All carbohydrates have 4 calories per gram. Insulin in the body allows glucose to be removed from the blood and moved into the cells to be stored as glycogen. There are three types of complex carbohydrates, starch, glycogen, and cellulose. Starch is found in plants and is made up of many glucose units linked together. Starch is the energy storage form of carbohydrates. Glycogen is found in the muscle and livers of animals. The amount of glycogen in animals tissue at the time of slaughter does affect the pH of meat. Cellulose helps plants keeo their shape, it acts like a plant skeleton. Cellulose is unable to digestm however it is one of the important components of fiber!

Research Article

While reading the article "‘Dead simple’ way to see atomic structure", I learned that moving molecules can be pinned down under room temperature conditions. They tested several different experiments to test this idea. Some researchers are even working to improve the resolution so that it could be used to image the atomic structure of biomolecules and other proteins. They are saying that it may be possible to determince the structure of complicated molecules, such as protein-protein complexes that are very different to crystallized. The data from one molecule might reveal the gross structure. The first layer of water is ice, even if it is at room temp. At a high humidity levels, a second layer of water will cover the first layer, this is also known as ice. Additional layers of water will coat the surfaces as droplets. While reading this article, I was able to research several different topics that I didn't know about water molecules.

Things so far

While being in this class, I have learned so much. I have learned how to research work, labs, and articles on certain topics to broaden my knowledge in biology. I know when I am reading false information, and when there is a time that maybe internet research could help.

During the labs so far, I have found out how to first of all get organized enough to be ready for the lab. Without organization things could easily get mixed up in a lab. It is always important to have all the appropriate materials while doing a lab, you don't want to be running around trying to get things put together after you have already started.

Carbohydrates!

Carbohydrates- The body breaks carbohydrates down into simple sugars, which is the main source of energy. While doing the carbohydrates lab, many of the items we tested had several different results. Here is a little on what I learned on Carbohydrates!!!!