Lipid Structure and Function

9th Grade•30 minutes

Learning Objective

I can describe the basic structure and function of lipids in living organisms.

The four main categories of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes.

Triglycerides are composed of a glycerol molecule bonded with three fatty acids through dehydration synthesis.

Phospholipids have a hydrophilic phosphate head and hydrophobic fatty acid tails, making them a major component of plasma membranes.

This lesson includes 3 practice questions to reinforce learning.

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1. Which of the following characteristics is common to all lipids?

2. Explain how the structure of phospholipids allows them to form the plasma membrane of cells.

3. Compare and contrast saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, including their structure and state at room temperature.

Lipids

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