DATE:

TITLE: Biological molecules

AIM: To investigate the presence of lipids in oil.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS: 5ml measuring cylinder, test tube, water, oil, ethanol, dropper.

METHOD: 1) 2cm3 of oil was placed in a test tube.

DIAGRAM:

RESULTS: (State what colour change was seen)

DISCUSSION:

Similar to Carbohydrates, Lipids are made up of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. However, some
exceptions are: they have a lower oxygen to hydrogen ratio, are non-polar and are only soluble in
non-polar solvents. The most common type of Lipids are Triglycerides. These can exist as oils, being
liquid at room temperature (20o), or as fats, being solid at room temperature (20o). Oils are mainly
formed in plants to store energy in seeds and in fish as cod liver oil. Fats are mainly produced in
animals as energy stores. Triglycerides are compact and efficient stores of energy as one gram can
release double the amount of energy as compared to one gram of carbohydrates.

Triglycerides are constructed from a glycerol molecule to which 3 Fatty Acid molecules attach
themselves via an Ester Link through a process named Esterification. Glycerol molecules contain
three carbon atoms, each atom has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached and hydrogen atoms in the
remaining positions. Fatty Acid molecules are a hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group (-COOH)
attached to the end of the chain. The presence of the carboxyl group makes it an acid. Fatty Acids
can be classified as Saturated, Unsaturated or Polyunsaturated. A Saturated Fatty Acid only has
single C-C bonds in its chain, an Unsaturated Fatty Acid has at least one C=C bond in its chain and a
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid has multiple C=C bonds within its chain. Esterification is a condensation
reaction where three fatty acid molecules and a glycerol molecule are bonded via the hydroxyl
group of the glycerol and the carboxyl groups of the fatty acids forming ester links between them,
giving off a molecule of water. If the majority of the fatty acids are saturated, a Saturated Fat is
created and if the majority of the fatty acids are unsaturated, a Polyunsaturate is formed.

Lipids are non-polar; this comes as a result of the esterification process. The polar parts of both the
fatty acid and glycerol molecules are lost due to the condensation reaction. This causes lipids to be
insoluble in water and other polar solvents but soluble in alcohol and other non-polar solvents. The
reason for this is the electrons shared between the bond in the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms
in lipids are equal (neutral), whereas in the water the electrons shared between the bonds in the
oxygen atoms and hydrogen atoms are unequal which causes there to be a slight positive charge
on the hydrogen atoms and a slight negative charge on the oxygen atoms (di-polar). It is said that
lipids are hydrophobic since they repel water.

An exception to this however are Phospholipids. These are made of a glycerol molecule and two
fatty acid molecules; the other fatty acid molecule is instead substituted by a Phosphate Group.
The fatty acid tails are still non-polar/hydrophobic, but the phosphate group is considered polar or
hydrophilic as it is attracted to water and has a negative charge. As a result, the negative charges of
the phosphate group are attracted to the positive charges on the hydrogen atoms in water. When
a Phospholipid is introduced to water two things happen simultaneously: the fatty acids are
repelled by the water molecules and the phosphate group is attracted by the water molecules and
dissolves in them. This creates a Bilayer which is a crucial function in the existence of cells.

--------------------RESULTS---------------------(Explain the results, why was that colour change seen?)

The Lipid test uses the solubility of a substance in ethanol to determine whether or not the
substance contains lipids. A sample of the suspected substance is shaken thoroughly with ethanol
as it is a non-polar solvent. The combination is then poured into a test tube with water. If lipids are
present an emulsion would be formed, meaning, there will be tiny groups of lipid molecules within
the water as they cannot stay dissolved in the ethanol due to the water. These groups of lipid
molecules reflect light and therefore make the liquid appear milky white. If no lipids are present
the liquid would be completely clear as ethanol could be fully dissolved in water.

Lipids have many important functions in organisms. They are high energy stores, act as water proof
coverings such as on leaves, insulate the body, absorb shock and store fat-soluble vitamins. Other
types of Lipids include Waxes, Steroids and Cholesterol.

SOURCE OF ERROR: 1)

CONCLUSION: