What is the primary function of triglycerides?

Triglycerides are used to store energy in animals, plants, and some bacteria. 

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What is the structure of a triglyceride?

A triglyceride consists of a glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acid tails.

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What are the characteristics of triglycerides that make them good stores of energy?

  1. Long hydrocarbon tails
  2. Low mass to energy ratio 
  3. Insoluble 
  4. High ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms 

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How are triglycerides synthesised?

Triglycerides are synthesised via condensation reactions. 


The hydroxyl groups (OH) on the glycerol and on 3 fatty acids react to release 3 water molecules and form 3 ester bonds. 

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How are triglycerides broken down?

Triglycerides are broken down via hydrolysis reactions.


The addition of 3 water molecules breaks the ester bonds to separate the glycerol and fatty acids. 

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What are the components of a phospholipid?

Phospholipids consist of glycerol, phosphate, and 2 fatty acid tails.

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Why are phospholipids described as being polar?

The head is hydrophilic and the fatty acid tails are hydrophobic.

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How do phospholipids arrange themselves in water?

Into a double layer (bilayer) with hydrophilic heads facing out and hydrophobic tails facing in.

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What are the similarities between triglycerides and phospholipids?

  1. Both contain glycerol, fatty acid tails, and ester bonds
  2. Both are insoluble in water
  3. Both contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

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What are the differences between triglycerides and phospholipids?

  1. Phospholipids contain phosphate
  2. Phospholipids contain 2 fatty acids, triglycerides contain 3 fatty acids
  3. Phospholipids are polar, triglycerides are non-polar
  4. Phospholipids form bilayers in water, triglycerides do not

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