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5 votes
1 answer
423 views

why is alpha-linolenic acid "alpha"?

I'm learning about how fatty acid names are formed. In the process, I noticed a molecule called alpha-linolenic acid. There's a similar molecule called linoleic acid. Both have 18 carbons, but alpha-...
chrononaute's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
133 views

Biochemically speaking, why aren't the cell membranes of eukaryotic, multicellular organisms made of more heat-resistant stuff?

TL;DR: there are lipids out there that are more heat-resistant than those in current cell membranes, yet current cell membranes don't have them. Why? I've cobbled together various miscellaneous ...
KEY_ABRADE's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
30 views

Why there is not a consistent pattern between the carbon chain length and the melting point of fatty acids? [duplicate]

I looked at the melting temperature of different saturated fatty acids and I expected to see that with a longer chain of carbon the melting point would be higher as after all the var der Waals ...
Itay Levi's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
1k views

Solubility of cholesterol and phospholipids in acetone

I'm having difficulty with this specific part of an assignment. I know that it is to do with polarities of the different parts of cholesterol and that it is because cholesterol is amphiphilic, but I ...
blythe's user avatar
  • 11
3 votes
1 answer
207 views

Is it possible to make a fuel cell that runs on triglyceride?

I apologize if this is a silly question. The reason I ask is I'm wondering if it would be possible to build a fuel cell that runs on body fat. I know ones for butane exist, could they work for this? ...
netsplit's user avatar
  • 133
5 votes
1 answer
500 views

Why is Omega-3 a polyunsaturated and not a monounsaturated fatty acid?

If Omega-3 is a fatty acid with a single double bond at the third carbon atom from the omega end, then why is it regarded as a polyunsaturate and not a monounsaturate? Are there different Omega-3s ...
James Paul Turner's user avatar