Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

32. Lipids

Fatty Acids

Organic Chemistry

32. Lipids

Fatty Acids

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Multiple Choice

Why does a gram of fatty acids provide about twice as many calories as a gram of glucose?

Fatty acids have more carbon-hydrogen bonds, which release more energy when oxidized.

Fatty acids are more soluble in water, allowing for more efficient energy release.

Fatty acids contain more oxygen atoms, which increase their caloric content.

Fatty acids are stored in a more compact form, leading to higher energy density.

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Verified step by step guidance

Begin by understanding the basic structure of fatty acids and glucose. Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains, while glucose is a carbohydrate with a ring structure containing oxygen atoms.

Consider the types of bonds present in each molecule. Fatty acids have a higher number of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds compared to glucose. These C-H bonds are high-energy bonds that release more energy upon oxidation.

Analyze the oxidation process. During metabolism, fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation, which breaks down the C-H bonds, releasing a significant amount of energy. Glucose undergoes glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, which also releases energy but involves fewer C-H bonds.

Evaluate the solubility and storage aspects. Fatty acids are stored as triglycerides in adipose tissue, which is a compact form of energy storage. This compact storage contributes to the higher energy density of fatty acids compared to glucose.

Conclude by comparing the energy yield. The higher number of C-H bonds in fatty acids results in a greater release of energy per gram when oxidized, explaining why fatty acids provide about twice as many calories as glucose.