Chapter 6, Problem 15TYPSS

Summary Introduction

To review:

Unicellular organisms are found in a wide range of habitats that are hot springs in Yellowstone National Park and even in the freezing temperatures of the Antarctic. Predict the saturation status of the membrane phospholipids in the organisms, who live in an extremely cold environment versus those, who live in extremely hot environments.

Introduction:

Lipids are heterogeneous compounds. They get easily dissolved in organic solvents but cannot fully dissolve in water. Lipids include mainly fats and oils. Other kinds of lipids are also there such as steroids, glycolipids, waxes, and phospholipids. Fatty acids are basic units of fats and can be either saturated or unsaturated.