Fatty acid

Definition

Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxyl group at one end. They are key components of lipids and play critical roles in cellular structures and energy storage.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated based on the presence of double bonds between carbon atoms.
2. In microbial cells, fatty acids are essential for building phospholipid bilayers of cell membranes.
3. Beta-oxidation is the metabolic pathway through which fatty acids are broken down to generate acetyl-CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle.
4. Microorganisms can synthesize their own fatty acids through a series of enzyme-mediated steps starting from acetyl-CoA.
5. The length and saturation level of fatty acids influence the fluidity and functionality of microbial cell membranes.

Review Questions

• What structural feature differentiates saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?
• How do microorganisms utilize fatty acids in their cellular processes?
• Describe the role of beta-oxidation in fatty acid metabolism.

Related terms

Phospholipid: A type of lipid molecule that forms the bilayer of cell membranes, consisting of two fatty acids attached to a phosphate group.

Beta-Oxidation: A metabolic process involving the breakdown of fatty acids into acetyl-CoA units.

Acetyl-CoA: An important molecule in metabolism that conveys carbon atoms within the citric acid cycle for energy production.