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30 Nov 2025

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Understanding Triglycerides and Phospholipids

user profile picture

ethan @ethanedwards

Lipids are essential biological molecules that you encounter every day - from the fats in your food to... Show more

TRIGLYCERIDES
Formation of Triglyceride:
O
HOC-R ➜>> H - с
HOC R
H-C
Ho
M
H-C-OH +
H-C OH +
H-C-OH +
1 glycerol
+ 3 fatty acids
-C-R
CHOLEST

Lipids The Essential Fats

Triglycerides are the most common lipids you'll encounter - they're basically the fats and oils in your food and body. They're made through a condensation reaction called esterification, where one glycerol molecule joins with three fatty acids.

During this process, three water molecules are removed and ester bonds form between each fatty acid and the glycerol backbone. An ester bond is simply an oxygen atom connecting two parts of the molecule, with one carbon double-bonded to another oxygen.

Cholesterol might sound scary, but it's actually essential for life. It sits in cell membranes to regulate their fluidity and serves as the building block for important steroid hormones like testosterone and oestrogen.

Phospholipids are the clever molecules that make cell membranes possible. They have a hydrophilic waterlovingwater-loving head containing glycerol, phosphate, and choline groups, plus two hydrophobic waterhatingwater-hating fatty acid tails.

Key Insight The dual nature of phospholipids - loving water on one end and repelling it on the other - is exactly what allows them to form protective barriers around cells while controlling what gets in and out.

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Basil

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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Paul T

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Biology

228

30 Nov 2025

1 page

Understanding Triglycerides and Phospholipids

user profile picture

ethan

@ethanedwards

Lipids are essential biological molecules that you encounter every day - from the fats in your food to the membranes surrounding every cell in your body. Understanding how triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids work will help you grasp everything from digestion... Show more

TRIGLYCERIDES
Formation of Triglyceride:
O
HOC-R ➜>> H - с
HOC R
H-C
Ho
M
H-C-OH +
H-C OH +
H-C-OH +
1 glycerol
+ 3 fatty acids
-C-R
CHOLEST

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Lipids: The Essential Fats

Triglycerides are the most common lipids you'll encounter - they're basically the fats and oils in your food and body. They're made through a condensation reaction called esterification, where one glycerol molecule joins with three fatty acids.

During this process, three water molecules are removed and ester bonds form between each fatty acid and the glycerol backbone. An ester bond is simply an oxygen atom connecting two parts of the molecule, with one carbon double-bonded to another oxygen.

Cholesterol might sound scary, but it's actually essential for life. It sits in cell membranes to regulate their fluidity and serves as the building block for important steroid hormones like testosterone and oestrogen.

Phospholipids are the clever molecules that make cell membranes possible. They have a hydrophilic waterlovingwater-loving head containing glycerol, phosphate, and choline groups, plus two hydrophobic waterhatingwater-hating fatty acid tails.

Key Insight: The dual nature of phospholipids - loving water on one end and repelling it on the other - is exactly what allows them to form protective barriers around cells while controlling what gets in and out.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

9

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Explore the differences between light and electron microscopes, including their structures, magnification capabilities, and applications in viewing cellular details. This summary provides essential insights into how these instruments enhance our understanding of microscopic life.

BiologyBiology
11

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Explore the essential roles of digestive enzymes in breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. This summary covers the functions of lipases, proteases, and amylase, detailing their sources and the digestion process. Ideal for biology students seeking to understand nutrient absorption and enzyme activity.

BiologyBiology
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Explore the role of digestive enzymes in breaking down food molecules into absorbable nutrients. This summary covers key concepts such as the lock-and-key model, enzyme specificity, and the functions of protease, lipase, and carbohydrase in digestion. Ideal for biology students preparing for exams.

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Cell Biology Essentials

Explore the fundamental concepts of cellular structure and function, including detailed insights into animal, plant, and bacterial cells. This summary covers key components such as mitochondria, ribosomes, and chloroplasts, as well as enzyme activity and microscopy techniques. Ideal for GCSE Biology students preparing for Edexcel exams.

BiologyBiology
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Enzyme Function Factors

Explore the key factors affecting enzyme activity, including temperature, pH, and substrate concentration. This summary covers enzyme structure, the active site, and the 'lock and key' model, providing essential insights for GCSE Biology students. Ideal for exam preparation and understanding enzyme kinetics.

BiologyBiology
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Explore the key digestive enzymes: Amylase, Protease, and Lipase. This summary covers their functions, production sites, and optimal pH levels for activity. Ideal for students studying human biology and digestive processes.

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8

Most popular content in Biology

Most popular content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user