AP Biology Flashcards: Lipids

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Lipids, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Biology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What distinguishes omega-3 from omega-6 fatty acids?

Answer: Position of the first double bond from the methyl end. Number indicates double bond location from methyl end.

Flashcard 2: What is the role of lipids in thermal insulation?

Answer: They reduce heat loss by forming insulating layers. Low thermal conductivity prevents heat transfer.

Flashcard 3: Which lipid is known for being a precursor to hormones?

Answer: Cholesterol. Steroid structure serves as backbone for hormone synthesis.

Flashcard 4: What is the impact of trans fats on health?

Answer: Increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Artificial trans configuration promotes atherosclerosis.

Flashcard 5: What is the main characteristic of amphipathic lipids?

Answer: Contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. Enable membrane formation and self-assembly.

Flashcard 6: Identify the role of lipids in the nervous system.

Answer: Insulation and protection of nerve fibers. Myelin sheaths protect and insulate axons.

Flashcard 7: What is the main energy source during prolonged fasting?

Answer: Fatty acids from triglycerides. Released through lipolysis when glucose is depleted.

Flashcard 8: What is the impact of trans fats on health?

Answer: Increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Artificial trans configuration promotes atherosclerosis.

Flashcard 9: What is the main characteristic of amphipathic lipids?

Answer: Contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. Enable membrane formation and self-assembly.

Flashcard 10: What are the primary components of lipids?

Answer: Fatty acids and glycerol. Basic building blocks that combine to form complex lipid molecules.

Flashcard 11: What is the general structure of a triglyceride?

Answer: One glycerol and three fatty acids. Three fatty acid chains attached to glycerol backbone.

Flashcard 12: Identify the process of breaking down triglycerides.

Answer: Lipolysis. Breaks down stored fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Flashcard 13: What is the main structural difference between phospholipids and triglycerides?

Answer: Phospholipids have a phosphate group; triglycerides do not. Phosphate group makes one end hydrophilic.

Flashcard 14: Identify the molecule from which all steroids are derived.

Answer: Cholesterol. Common steroid backbone for hormone synthesis.

Flashcard 15: Which lipid is a precursor for vitamin D synthesis?

Answer: Cholesterol. UV exposure converts cholesterol to vitamin D.

Flashcard 16: What is the structural role of sterols in cell membranes?

Answer: They stabilize membrane fluidity. Regulate membrane fluidity at different temperatures.

Flashcard 17: Which lipids are involved in the formation of eicosanoids?

Answer: Arachidonic acid. 20-carbon fatty acid precursor to signaling molecules.

Flashcard 18: What is the structural role of sterols in cell membranes?

Answer: They stabilize membrane fluidity. Regulate membrane fluidity at different temperatures.

Flashcard 19: What is the function of eicosanoids?

Answer: Act as signaling molecules in inflammation and immunity. Regulate inflammatory and immune responses.

Flashcard 20: Which lipid is known for being a precursor to hormones?

Answer: Cholesterol. Steroid structure serves as backbone for hormone synthesis.

Flashcard 21: What is the role of lipoproteins in the body?

Answer: Transport lipids through the bloodstream. Package lipids for transport in aqueous blood.

Flashcard 22: What property of lipids makes them hydrophobic?

Answer: Nonpolar hydrocarbon chains. Long carbon chains repel water molecules.

Flashcard 23: What are the primary components of lipids?

Answer: Fatty acids and glycerol. Basic building blocks that combine to form complex lipid molecules.

Flashcard 24: Identify the main function of lipids in cells.

Answer: Energy storage and membrane structure. Lipids store energy efficiently and form cell membrane boundaries.

Flashcard 25: What is an essential fatty acid?

Answer: A fatty acid that must be obtained from the diet. Cannot be synthesized by the body.

Flashcard 26: What is the function of eicosanoids?

Answer: Act as signaling molecules in inflammation and immunity. Regulate inflammatory and immune responses.

Flashcard 27: Identify the molecule from which all steroids are derived.

Answer: Cholesterol. Common steroid backbone for hormone synthesis.

Flashcard 28: How do lipids contribute to the fluidity of cell membranes?

Answer: By preventing fatty acid chains from packing tightly. Unsaturated fatty acids prevent rigid packing.

Flashcard 29: What is the main energy source during prolonged fasting?

Answer: Fatty acids from triglycerides. Released through lipolysis when glucose is depleted.

Flashcard 30: Which lipid-soluble vitamins are stored in adipose tissue?

Answer: Vitamins A, D, E, K. Require lipids for absorption and storage.

Flashcard 31: Identify the lipid responsible for providing buoyancy to marine animals.

Answer: Squalene. Lower density than water provides flotation.

Flashcard 32: Which type of lipids are involved in signaling within cells?

Answer: Steroids. Act as hormones and membrane components.

Flashcard 33: What is the general structure of a triglyceride?

Answer: One glycerol and three fatty acids. Three fatty acid chains attached to glycerol backbone.

Flashcard 34: Identify the lipid responsible for providing buoyancy to marine animals.

Answer: Squalene. Lower density than water provides flotation.

Flashcard 35: Differentiate between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

Answer: Saturated: no double bonds; Unsaturated: one or more double bonds. Double bonds create kinks affecting molecular packing and fluidity.

Flashcard 36: Which lipid-soluble vitamins are stored in adipose tissue?

Answer: Vitamins A, D, E, K. Require lipids for absorption and storage.

Flashcard 37: What is the primary function of bile acids?

Answer: Aid in the digestion and absorption of fats. Emulsify fats for enzyme digestion.

Flashcard 38: Differentiate between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

Answer: Saturated: no double bonds; Unsaturated: one or more double bonds. Double bonds create kinks affecting molecular packing and fluidity.

Flashcard 39: What is the role of essential fatty acids in the body?

Answer: They are precursors to signaling molecules. Required for synthesis of important cellular messengers.

Flashcard 40: What is the role of essential fatty acids in the body?

Answer: They are precursors to signaling molecules. Required for synthesis of important cellular messengers.

Flashcard 41: What is the role of lipoproteins in the body?

Answer: Transport lipids through the bloodstream. Package lipids for transport in aqueous blood.

Flashcard 42: Which type of lipid is a major component of cell membranes?

Answer: Phospholipids. Form bilayer structure due to amphipathic properties.

Flashcard 43: How do lipids contribute to the fluidity of cell membranes?

Answer: By preventing fatty acid chains from packing tightly. Unsaturated fatty acids prevent rigid packing.

Flashcard 44: Identify the type of bond formed between glycerol and fatty acids.

Answer: Ester bond. Covalent bond linking fatty acid to glycerol.

Flashcard 45: What is the primary function of bile acids?

Answer: Aid in the digestion and absorption of fats. Emulsify fats for enzyme digestion.

Flashcard 46: Identify the lipid that is a key component of bile.

Answer: Cholesterol. Synthesized from cholesterol in the liver.

Flashcard 47: What is the function of the lipid bilayer in membranes?

Answer: Acts as a barrier to control substance entry and exit. Selective permeability maintains cellular compartmentalization.

Flashcard 48: Which enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides?

Answer: Lipase. Breaks ester bonds in triglycerides.

Flashcard 49: Identify the type of bond formed between glycerol and fatty acids.

Answer: Ester bond. Covalent bond linking fatty acid to glycerol.

Flashcard 50: Identify the main function of lipids in cells.

Answer: Energy storage and membrane structure. Lipids store energy efficiently and form cell membrane boundaries.

Flashcard 51: Which type of lipid is most abundant in the brain?

Answer: Phospholipids. Essential for neural membrane structure and function.

Flashcard 52: Which enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides?

Answer: Lipase. Breaks ester bonds in triglycerides.

Flashcard 53: Which type of lipids are involved in signaling within cells?

Answer: Steroids. Act as hormones and membrane components.

Flashcard 54: Identify the type of lipid involved in waterproofing.

Answer: Waxes. Long-chain fatty acids create protective barriers.

Flashcard 55: Which type of lipid is a major component of cell membranes?

Answer: Phospholipids. Form bilayer structure due to amphipathic properties.

Flashcard 56: What is the function of sphingolipids in cells?

Answer: Participate in cell signaling and recognition. Membrane components involved in cell communication.

Flashcard 57: What is the function of the lipid bilayer in membranes?

Answer: Acts as a barrier to control substance entry and exit. Selective permeability maintains cellular compartmentalization.

Flashcard 58: Which lipids are primarily responsible for water-repellency in plants?

Answer: Waxes. Protective coating on leaves and stems.

Flashcard 59: Identify the role of lipids in the nervous system.

Answer: Insulation and protection of nerve fibers. Myelin sheaths protect and insulate axons.

Flashcard 60: Identify the process by which triglycerides are formed.

Answer: Dehydration synthesis. Removes water to form ester bonds.

Flashcard 61: Which lipids are involved in the formation of eicosanoids?

Answer: Arachidonic acid. 20-carbon fatty acid precursor to signaling molecules.

Flashcard 62: What is the function of sphingolipids in cells?

Answer: Participate in cell signaling and recognition. Membrane components involved in cell communication.

Flashcard 63: What is the main structural difference between phospholipids and triglycerides?

Answer: Phospholipids have a phosphate group; triglycerides do not. Phosphate group makes one end hydrophilic.

Flashcard 64: Which lipids are primarily responsible for water-repellency in plants?

Answer: Waxes. Protective coating on leaves and stems.

Flashcard 65: Identify the lipid type that serves as an energy reserve.

Answer: Triglycerides. Provides concentrated energy storage in adipose tissue.

Flashcard 66: Which lipid is commonly found in adipose tissue?

Answer: Triglycerides. Fat storage cells for energy reserves.

Flashcard 67: Identify the type of lipid involved in waterproofing.

Answer: Waxes. Long-chain fatty acids create protective barriers.

Flashcard 68: What is the storage form of lipids in animals?

Answer: Triglycerides. Stored in adipose tissue for long-term energy.

Flashcard 69: What is the role of lipids in thermal insulation?

Answer: They reduce heat loss by forming insulating layers. Low thermal conductivity prevents heat transfer.

Flashcard 70: Identify the process of breaking down triglycerides.

Answer: Lipolysis. Breaks down stored fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Flashcard 71: Which lipid is commonly found in adipose tissue?

Answer: Triglycerides. Fat storage cells for energy reserves.

Flashcard 72: What distinguishes omega-3 from omega-6 fatty acids?

Answer: Position of the first double bond from the methyl end. Number indicates double bond location from methyl end.

Flashcard 73: Which lipid is a precursor for vitamin D synthesis?

Answer: Cholesterol. UV exposure converts cholesterol to vitamin D.

Flashcard 74: Which type of lipid is most abundant in the brain?

Answer: Phospholipids. Essential for neural membrane structure and function.

Flashcard 75: What is an essential fatty acid?

Answer: A fatty acid that must be obtained from the diet. Cannot be synthesized by the body.

Flashcard 76: What is the storage form of lipids in animals?

Answer: Triglycerides. Stored in adipose tissue for long-term energy.