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Example Question #171 : Biochemistry
Increased unsaturation in a fatty acid results in __________.
increased membrane fluidity
no change with respect to membrane fluidity
an increase or decrease in fluidity dependent of the temperature
decreased membrane fluidity
no change in membrane fluidity
increased membrane fluidity
A greater degree of unsaturation results in a disruption of van der Waals forces between fatty acid chains. This is due to the "kinks" that occur within an unsaturated fatty acid. It is easy to visualize a fatty acid membrane with kinks being less tightly packed, and therefore more fluid. This increase in fluidity is independent of temperature.
Example Question #172 : Biochemistry
Which of the following is true of an omega-6 fatty acid?
It has a double bond at the sixth position, counting from the carboxyl end of the fatty acid
It has a double bond at the sixth position, counting from the methyl end of the fatty acid
It has a single bond at the sixth position, counting from the carboxyl end of the fatty acid
It has a single bond at the sixth position, counting from the methyl end of the fatty acid
It has six double bonds located throughout the fatty acid
It has a double bond at the sixth position, counting from the methyl end of the fatty acid
The rules for fatty acid nomenclature state that Omega 6 means that a double bond is located at the sixth position of the fatty acid - counting from the methyl end.
Example Question #172 : Biochemistry
Which of the following statements about lipids is incorrect?
Linolenic acid's nomenclature is C18:29,12
Lipid double bonds are almost always cis
None of these
Myristic acid is saturated with 14 carbons and 0 double bonds
Biological waxes are nonpolar esters of fatty acids and long chain alcohols
Linolenic acid's nomenclature is C18:29,12
Linoleic acid's nomenclature is C18:29,12. Linolenic acid's nomenclature is C18:3
9,12,15. They both have 18 carbons but differ by one extra double bond in linolenic acid.
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