Question

How does the structure of fatty acids compare to the basic units found in other macromolecules

Answer 1

Answer:

Macromolecules like proteins have a repeating unit of amino acids, polynucleotides have repeats of nucleotide, polysaccharides have repeats of simple sugar like glucose, similarly lipids have a repeating units of fatty acids and alcohol (like glycerol).  

Explanation:

Many lipids have both glycerol and fatty acids. For example:

Simple lipids: These are esters of fatty acids and various alcohols. A fatty acid molecule is an unbranched chain of carbon atoms having a carboxylic group attached to an R group. The R group could be a methyl group, ethyl group, or higher number of groups. Like, palmitic acid has 16 carbons including carboxyl carbon. Fatty acids can be either saturated or unsaturated. Saturated fatty acids are without double bond. Example: palmitic acid and stearic acid. Unsaturated fatty acids are with one or more double bonds. Example: Oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid.

Waxes: waxes are esters of fatty acids with alcohol of high molecular weight instead of glycerol. Example: bee wax, lanolin, etc. They have an important role in protection.  

Answer 2

1. The repeating units in a fatty acid are just carbon atoms. They usually have two hydrogens attached, but can have one (in unsaturated fats) or three (at the end of the chain). This is simpler than nucleic acids and proteins. 

2. Fatty acids are used to make phospholipids, which make up most of the mass of a cell membrane. The fatty acid portion of a phospholipid is very hydrophobic (does not mix with water).