Subjects
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
English Language
History
Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
Homeostasis and response
Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
Substance exchange
Bioenergetics
Genetic information & variation
Inheritance, variation and evolution
Genetics & ecosystems (a2 only)
Ecology
Cells
Show all topics
Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
World war one
Britain: 1509 -1745
Show all topics
Design & Technology
3 Dec 2025
109
2 pages
Ffion @ffion_lm
Ever wondered why butter goes soft when you leave it out, or why some oils go off faster... Show more
Lipids are basically fats and oils that don't mix with water - think about how oil floats on top of water in a pan. The clever bit is that they dissolve in other substances like alcohol, which is why some cleaning products work so well on greasy stains.
Here's something that might surprise you fats and oils are chemically identical. Butter and olive oil have the same energy value, but butter's solid at room temperature whilst oil flows freely. Both are made from just three elements - carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen - arranged into structures called triglycerides.
Think of triglycerides like a three-pronged fork one handle (glycerol) with three prongs (fatty acids) attached. The shape of these fatty acid "prongs" determines whether you get solid butter or liquid oil. Saturated fatty acids are straight and pack tightly together like perfectly stacked pencils, creating solid fats. Unsaturated fatty acids have kinks and bends that prevent tight packing, keeping them liquid.
Quick Tip The more double bonds in a fatty acid, the more it bends - and the more liquid it becomes!
The position of hydrogen atoms around these double bonds matters hugely. Cis formation puts hydrogen atoms on the same side, creating a bent molecule. Trans formation keeps them straight, which is why trans fats behave more like saturated fats in your body.
Watch butter transform as temperature changes - it's like a real-time chemistry lesson! Cold butter from the fridge is rock-solid because all those saturated fatty acids are locked together. As it warms up, different fatty acids hit their melting points at different times, making it spreadable but still stable.
Your body can't make certain essential fatty acids like linoleic and linolenic acid, so you absolutely need them from food sources. You'll find unsaturated fats in avocados, nuts, seeds, and fish, whilst saturated fats come from cheese, butter, meat, and coconut oil.
Rancidity is what happens when oxygen attacks the double bonds in unsaturated fats, breaking them down into compounds that smell and taste revolting. This is why oils with lots of double bonds (like sunflower oil) go off faster than saturated fats. Food manufacturers add antioxidants to slow this process down.
Understanding fat properties helps explain cooking techniques. Plasticity lets you spread and shape fats, shortening breaks up gluten in pastry for that perfect crumbly texture, emulsification keeps oil and water mixed in mayonnaise, and aeration traps air bubbles when you cream butter and sugar for cakes.
Remember The more unsaturated a fat is, the more liquid it stays and the faster it can go rancid!
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.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
2
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the essential roles of aeration, shortening, plasticity, and emulsification in cooking fats. This summary covers how emulsifiers stabilize mixtures, the impact of shortening on texture, and the plasticity of fats for various culinary applications. Ideal for students studying food science and culinary techniques.
Food & NutritionExplore the chemical composition, types, and digestion of carbohydrates in this comprehensive summary. Learn about simple carbohydrates (monosaccharides and disaccharides) and complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides) including starch, cellulose, and glycogen. Understand their roles in energy storage and biological processes, along with the digestion process from mouth to small intestine.
OtherExplore the vital functions of essential vitamins in human nutrition. This summary covers the roles of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K in energy release, blood clotting, bone health, and immune support. Ideal for health and food technology students, this resource highlights key dietary sources and their health benefits.
OtherApp Store
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
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
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
Ffion
@ffion_lm
Ever wondered why butter goes soft when you leave it out, or why some oils go off faster than others? Understanding lipids - the scientific name for fats and oils - will help you make sense of cooking, nutrition, and... Show more
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Lipids are basically fats and oils that don't mix with water - think about how oil floats on top of water in a pan. The clever bit is that they dissolve in other substances like alcohol, which is why some cleaning products work so well on greasy stains.
Here's something that might surprise you: fats and oils are chemically identical. Butter and olive oil have the same energy value, but butter's solid at room temperature whilst oil flows freely. Both are made from just three elements - carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen - arranged into structures called triglycerides.
Think of triglycerides like a three-pronged fork: one handle (glycerol) with three prongs (fatty acids) attached. The shape of these fatty acid "prongs" determines whether you get solid butter or liquid oil. Saturated fatty acids are straight and pack tightly together like perfectly stacked pencils, creating solid fats. Unsaturated fatty acids have kinks and bends that prevent tight packing, keeping them liquid.
Quick Tip: The more double bonds in a fatty acid, the more it bends - and the more liquid it becomes!
The position of hydrogen atoms around these double bonds matters hugely. Cis formation puts hydrogen atoms on the same side, creating a bent molecule. Trans formation keeps them straight, which is why trans fats behave more like saturated fats in your body.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Watch butter transform as temperature changes - it's like a real-time chemistry lesson! Cold butter from the fridge is rock-solid because all those saturated fatty acids are locked together. As it warms up, different fatty acids hit their melting points at different times, making it spreadable but still stable.
Your body can't make certain essential fatty acids like linoleic and linolenic acid, so you absolutely need them from food sources. You'll find unsaturated fats in avocados, nuts, seeds, and fish, whilst saturated fats come from cheese, butter, meat, and coconut oil.
Rancidity is what happens when oxygen attacks the double bonds in unsaturated fats, breaking them down into compounds that smell and taste revolting. This is why oils with lots of double bonds (like sunflower oil) go off faster than saturated fats. Food manufacturers add antioxidants to slow this process down.
Understanding fat properties helps explain cooking techniques. Plasticity lets you spread and shape fats, shortening breaks up gluten in pastry for that perfect crumbly texture, emulsification keeps oil and water mixed in mayonnaise, and aeration traps air bubbles when you cream butter and sugar for cakes.
Remember: The more unsaturated a fat is, the more liquid it stays and the faster it can go rancid!
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.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
2
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the essential roles of aeration, shortening, plasticity, and emulsification in cooking fats. This summary covers how emulsifiers stabilize mixtures, the impact of shortening on texture, and the plasticity of fats for various culinary applications. Ideal for students studying food science and culinary techniques.
Food & NutritionExplore the chemical composition, types, and digestion of carbohydrates in this comprehensive summary. Learn about simple carbohydrates (monosaccharides and disaccharides) and complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides) including starch, cellulose, and glycogen. Understand their roles in energy storage and biological processes, along with the digestion process from mouth to small intestine.
OtherExplore the vital functions of essential vitamins in human nutrition. This summary covers the roles of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K in energy release, blood clotting, bone health, and immune support. Ideal for health and food technology students, this resource highlights key dietary sources and their health benefits.
OtherApp Store
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
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
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
Sociology