Question 1

Which of the following fatty acids is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid?

Accepted Answer

Linolenic acid ($$C18:3\omega3,6,9)$$

Question 2

A triglyceride is composed of which of the following components?

Accepted Answer

Three fatty acids and one glycerol molecule

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the structure of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin)?

Accepted Answer

A glycerophospholipid with a choline head group

Question 4

Given the structure of a fatty acid with the formula $$C18:2\Delta9,12$$, what is its common name?

Accepted Answer

Linoleic acid

Question 5

Which of the following statements about plasmalogens is correct?

Accepted Answer

They contain a vinyl ether linkage at the sn-1 position of glycerol

Question 6

A lipid is hydrolyzed to yield glycerol, phosphate, choline, and two equivalents of oleic acid. What type of lipid is it?

Accepted Answer

Phosphatidylcholine (lecithin)

Question 7

Which of the following is a correct description of a sphingomyelin molecule?

Accepted Answer

A sphingolipid with a phosphocholine head group

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions of a phospholipid?

Accepted Answer

The fatty acid tails are hydrophobic, and the phosphate-containing head group is hydrophilic

Question 9

Which of the following is the correct IUPAC name for the acyl group derived from stearic acid?

Accepted Answer

Stearoyl

Question 10

A biological wax is typically formed from which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A long-chain fatty acid and a long-chain alcohol

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the difference between a cerebroside and a ganglioside?

Accepted Answer

A cerebroside contains a single sugar residue, while a ganglioside contains an oligosaccharide with at least one sialic acid

Question 12

Which of the following is the correct structure for a triacylglycerol named 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl glycerol?

Accepted Answer

A glycerol backbone with palmitoyl groups at positions 1 and 2, and an oleoyl group at position 3

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct description of a lipid with the formula $$C16:0$$?

Accepted Answer

Palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the structure of a glycerophospholipid?

Accepted Answer

A glycerol backbone, two fatty acids, and a phosphate-containing head group

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct description of the omega nomenclature for fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

The position of the first double bond is counted from the methyl (omega) end of the fatty acid

Question 16

Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of ether glycerophospholipids?

Accepted Answer

They have an ether linkage at the sn-1 position of glycerol

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the structure of cholesterol?

Accepted Answer

A sterol with four fused hydrocarbon rings and a hydrocarbon tail

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct description of a biochemical wax?

Accepted Answer

An ester formed from a long-chain fatty acid and a long-chain alcohol

Question 19

Which of the following is the correct name for a fatty acid with the formula $$C20:4\Delta5,8,11,14$$?

Accepted Answer

Arachidonic acid

Study Guide: Structures and Nomenclature of Lipids

Study Guide - Practice Questions