Unit 28: Lipids, Polymers & Special Topics

This closing unit shows how the same organic principles scale into membranes, energy storage, materials, and macromolecular design.

• Differentiate major lipid classes such as fatty acids, triacylglycerols, and phospholipids.
• Explain saponification and relate fatty-acid saturation to melting behavior and membrane properties.
• Distinguish addition and condensation polymerization and recognize representative polymer families.
• Connect polymer structure to material properties such as flexibility, crystallinity, and cross-linking.

Checkpoint Questions

Q: Why do cis unsaturated fatty acids usually lower melting point?

A: The double bonds introduce kinks that prevent tight packing and weaken intermolecular attraction between chains.

Q: What are the products of saponification of a triglyceride?

A: Glycerol plus the sodium or potassium salts of the fatty acids.