structure of molecules (1 Viewer)

[domaap]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
what is the difference between a steroid molecule, phopholipid, and fat molecule?


2. Relevant equations
discuss the general difference in their structures


3. The attempt at a solution


phospholipids are asymetrical with a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail
and the other two are symmetrical?




I'm completely lost coz I dropped chemistry after two weeks of it, and now it's come back to haunt me in biology

its a question from the nature of biology book2, edition 3, biochallenge.

 

[xiao1985]

I'm no biologist, and it look as if the questions you asked is beyond HSC scope. However, I shall attempt to give a stab at the questions any way.

steroid are hydrocarbons consisting of several cycloalkanes, which shares a basic structure. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steroid for the structure) variations on the side groups can achieve vastly different biological effects upon administration into the body.

Phospholipid are best thought as a tadpole, with a polar, charged end (the organic phosphate end) and a non-polar end (consisting of majorly hydrocarbons). They are the foundation of cellular membranes, as the cellular membranes are formed by the hydrophobic tails getting together, and form a bi-phospholipid layer.

Fat molecule (IIRC) is the ester of fatty acid (long chain hydrocarbons) and triglyerine (sp?).

2) Steroid: basic 4 ring motif
Phospholipid: phosphate + hydrocarbon
Fat: ester of fatty acid and tryglyerine

3) Sorry, I don't completely understand the question... Solution to what?

 

[domaap]

hmmm, thanks. thatll haveta suffice.

im actually year 12 vce btw, but out syllabus cant be that diff from yours i think. but yes, that question does seem to be way outer our reach.

 

[xiao1985]

awww that explains it.

VCE would be tons different from HSC I think, especially since the governing bodies responsible for the sylabi are two different entities.