Question

Indicate whether each statement is true or false: (a) Fat molecules contain amide bonds. (b) Phosphoplipids can be zwitterions. (c) Phospholipids form bilayers in water in order to have their long hydrophobic tails interact favorably with each other, leaving their polar heads to the aqueous environment.

Short answer

(a) False: Fat molecules, or triglycerides, contain ester bonds, not amide bonds. Amide bonds are found in peptides and proteins. (b) True: Phospholipids can be zwitterions, as their polar head group can carry both positive and negative charges under certain conditions. (c) True: Phospholipids form bilayers in water due to their amphipathic nature, allowing their hydrophobic tails to interact favorably with each other and their polar heads to interact with the aqueous environment.

Step-by-step solution

Statement (a) Analysis

In order to determine whether fat molecules contain amide bonds, we need to recall the structure of fat molecules. Fat molecules, also known as triglycerides, have a glycerol backbone linked to three fatty acid chains via ester bonds. Amide bonds are found in peptides and proteins, linking amino acids together, not in fat molecules.

Statement (a) Conclusion

Since fat molecules do not contain amide bonds, statement (a) is false.

Statement (b) Analysis

Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules that contain a hydrophilic (polar) head and one or two hydrophobic (nonpolar) tails. Phospholipids can be zwitterions, which means they carry both positive and negative charges at different parts of the molecule under certain conditions (e.g., pH). We need to recall the structure of phospholipids and the concept of zwitterions.

Statement (b) Conclusion

Since the polar head group in a phospholipid can carry both positive and negative charges under certain conditions, statement (b) is true.

Statement (c) Analysis

Phospholipids spontaneously form bilayers in water due to their amphipathic nature. The hydrophilic head groups interact favorably with water, while the hydrophobic tails avoid water by interacting with each other. We need to understand the concept of phospholipid bilayer and how it is formed in an aqueous environment.

Statement (c) Conclusion

The statement is true because phospholipids form bilayers in water due to their amphipathic nature, allowing their hydrophobic tails to interact favorably with each other and their polar heads to interact with the aqueous environment. In summary, the answers are: (a) False, (b) True, and (c) True.

Key concepts

Amide Bonds

Amide bonds are a specific type of chemical bond that form between amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. These bonds are created through a reaction where a molecule of water is removed as the amino group (-NH_2) of one amino acid reacts with the carboxyl group (-COOH) of another. This forms the characteristic peptide bond of proteins.

Key points about amide bonds include:

• They are significant in the structure of proteins and peptides, serving as the basic linkages between amino acids.
• Typically found in organic compounds including proteins, which are vital for numerous biological functions.
• Not present in fat molecules (triglycerides), which rely instead on ester bonds to bond fatty acids to glycerol.

Understanding where amide bonds are found helps clarify why they are absent in certain molecules like fats, which instead consist of different bond types crucial for their function in energy storage.

Zwitterions

Zwitterions are intriguing molecules because they carry both a positive and a negative charge at different locations on the same molecule. This dual charge allows them to exist as neutral molecules in specific environments, such as certain pH levels.

Here’s what makes zwitterions special:

• They are crucial to the behavior of amino acids and other biomolecules in solutions, influencing their solubility and reactivity.
• Phospholipids can interact as zwitterions, especially in biological membranes, helping stabilize the structure through their charged head groups.
• In specific conditions, like the pH balance of a cell, these molecules help maintain cellular stability and function.

Zwitterions play an important role in chemistry and biology, especially when understanding how molecules behave in different environmental contexts.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of lipid and are the main constituents of body fat in humans and animals, as well as vegetable fat. They are formed by three fatty acids esterified to a glycerol backbone. This structure is different from phospholipids, which makes them incapable of forming the structural components necessary for cell membranes.

Key aspects of triglycerides:

• They store energy very efficiently, providing more than twice the energy per gram as carbohydrates or proteins.
• They do not contain amide bonds – instead, fatty acids are connected to glycerol via ester bonds.
• In the body, triglycerides serve not just as energy stores but also play roles in protecting organs and insulating the body against cold environments.

Understanding triglycerides is essential for comprehending how organisms store and utilize energy. They exemplify the diversity of lipid functionality beyond structural roles, emphasizing their part in metabolism and energy regulation.