Membrane Structure Tutorials

Lipids' cells are separated into two environments, one is called the hydrophilic aqueous cytoplasm and the hydrophobic lipid membranes. The characteristics by their hydrophobic nature and their common metabolic origin, is what defines the family of molecules in the lipid environment. Fats (triacylglcerol), phospholipids, and steroids, are some members of the lipid family. The molecules in lipids are long, 16- 18 carbon, hydrocarbon backbones with very few oxygen, this makes them hydrophobic. Fats, steroids, and phospholipids are very important to making the membranes in the cells work. Fatty acids atach to the alcohol gycerol. Fatty acids are usually, 16-22 carbons long. Saturated fatty acids have no bonds of carbon while unsaturated fatty acids have 1-3 double bonds along the backbone carbon chain. "Kinks" is introduced in double bonds, in carbon chains, they  carry important danger on the fluid nature of lipids membranes. Unsaturated fatty acids have lower melting points. Since unsaturated fatty acids introduce kinks in the hydrocarbon backbone, unsaturated fatty acids won't pack into normal structure (why fluid remains at lower temperature). Insulating molecules and energy storage is what fats mainly are. Energy is contained twice as much in fats than in carbohydrates. Fats are around animal  vital organs which cushions them, layers of fat underneath the animal's skin create insulation. Condensation reactions causes phospholipds with only two fatty acids attached to a glyerol head.

Carbohydrate Identification Lab Analysis Questions

1. Name the three categories of carbohydrates studied in this investigation. [umm. .  Monosaccahrides, Polysaccharides, and Disaccharides]                     
2. What three elements are present in all carbohydrates?  [carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen]
3. Give two examples each of sugar molecules from our discussion or the textbook that are:
1. Monosaccharides- galactose & glucose
2. Disaccharides- lactose & sucrose
3. Polysaccharides- glycogen & starch
4. How many times larger is the number of hydrogen atoms than oxygen atoms in:
1. water? 2 times larger than oxygen
2. carbohydrates? Twice the amount of oxygen atoms
5. “Mono” means one, “di” means two, and “poly” means many. Why are these terms used in describing the three types of sugars? It helps to know what the molecules look like. For example,a monosaccharide has only one carb beacause the "mono" part.
6. How can you tell by using Benedict’s and iodine solutions if a sugar is a:
1. Monosaccharide- Chemical change will happen when Benedict's is mixed and heated, it should turn orange. If iodine is mixed it has no reaction.
2. Disaccharide- With Benedict's or iodine their is no reaction at all.
3. Polysaccharide- Iodine will make a chemical change, it turns black. With Benidict's their is no reaction.
7. A certain sugar has no change in color when tested with Benedict’s solution.
1. Can you tell what type of saccharide it is?
2. Explain. [ Because some don't react at all, it would be hard to see what type of saccharide it is.
8. A certain sugar has a color change in Benedict’s solution.
1. Can you tell what type of saccharide it is?
2. Explain. [Polysaccharides and disaccharides will react mixed with Benedict's solution so you would be able to notice what type of saccharide it is.
9. Give an example of a food that contains
1. Monosaccharides- CORN SYRUP
2. Disaccharides- TABLE SUGAR
3. Polysaccharides- OATMEAL

Collagen Web Quest

Read the information and view the graphics. Use this information to answer the following questions:

1. Describe the primary structure of collagen. What are the major amino acid components?

The major amino acids are glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Triple Helix is a type of collagen and is a long rope-like structrure. They are braided together by three polypeptide chains. Every 3rd amino acid(glycine) is perfectly fitted into the helix. The rest are filled into the helix which is proline and hdroxyproline.
2. What role does vitamin C play in collagen formation? What happens when a person does not get enough vitamin C in his or her diet?
Vitamin C helps create hydroxyproline so it is very important to have it. The body cannot produce vitamin C sooo we have to make sure we have it in our foods or diet. When we don't the production of collagen slows down, this can cause scurvy.

3. Describe the quaternary structure of collagen (the way in which the polypeptide chains are arranged).
Like braiding your hair, that is how collagens are structured. They come together making long strands side by side. They unite with the heads connecting and the tails far away apart.


1. What is the main symptom of osteogenesis imperfecta? What are some other symptoms that people with OI may have?
Some symptoms are that you are very fragile and bones can break or fracture. The loss of hearing can start and joint laxity. Also, curved bones( scoliosis) and having short stature. Those are some symptoms of OI.


2. Type I osteogenesis imperfecta causes fewer problems than the other forms. How does the collagen structure in Type I OI differ from that of the other types?
The collagen structrue is very normal which makes it different then ever other collagen. Except you don't have an average amount, you have less.

1. Describe the role of collagen in bones. Why do collagen problems lead to bone problems?

 Collagen is like the foundation of your bones, making them stronger! Bones have a frame and collagen builds on them making them not as fragile or easy to break.

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