- amphipathic molecule: has both polar and nonpolar regions
- fatty acids: hydrocarbons with a carboxyl group at one end of the chain; vary in structure by # of carbons/placement of single and double covalent bonds b/w carbons
- lipids: insoluble in water but are soluble in nonpolar substances
- monounsaturated fatty acid: one double covalent bond/ each of two carbons in bond has one hydrogen bonded to it
- phospholipid: a lipid in which one of the fatty acid molecules has been replaced by a module that contains a phosphate group; fatty acid "tails" are nonpolar/hydrophobic, while phosphate "head is polar and hydrophilic; amphipathic molecule; oriented in sandwich-like formations with tails grouped inside and heads toward outside; provide structural foundation of cell membranes
- polyunsaturated fatty acid: like monounsaturated except there are two or more double covalent bonds
- saturated fatty acid: single covalent bond b/w each pair of carbon atoms, which has two hydrogens bonded to it. "saturated with hydrogen"
- steroids: characterized by backbone of four linked carbon rings. (i.e.-cholesterol, testosterone, estrogen)
- triglycerides: include fats and oils; consists of three fatty acids attached to glycerol molecule