Help with Lipids - GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

Card 0 of 3

Question

Phospholipids are comprised of __________.

Answer

The correct answer is a glycerol head containing a phosphate group and two fatty acids. Phospho refers to the phosphate group and lipid refers to the glycerol backbone attached to two fatty acid chains.

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Question

What qualifies a molecule to be considered an omega-3 fatty acid?

Answer

Omega-3 fatty acids are named after the double bond that starts on the third-to-last carbon in the fatty acid. The carboxylic acid carbon is considered the first carbon, while the last methyl group carbon is considered the "omega" carbon. As a result, the double bond will be three carbons away from the end.

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Question

Which type of lipid acts as a buffer for membrane fluidity?

Answer

Membrane fluidity can be buffered by cholesterol in both warm and cold environments. At high temperatures cholesterol raises the melting point, while at lower temperatures cholesterol prevents the formation of crystalline structures between phospholipids.

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