2. Palmitate is a sixteen-carbon fatty acid. We wl study it further when we stud

Question

2. Palmitate is a sixteen-carbon fatty acid. We wl study it further when we study lipids, later in the course. When palmitate is put into water, the following reaction occurs spontaneously: H2O H2o palmitate coo H3C excess H 0 H2o symbol) micelle a) Which weak bond(s) stabilize the formation of the micelle? Explain. b) Which weak bond(s) destabilize the formation of the micelle? Explain c Which weak bond(s) neither stabilize nor destabilize the formation of the micelle? Explain. d) If we lowered the temperature of the system 10°C, which side of the equilibrium, if any, would be favored? Why?

Explanation / Answer

Lipids form micelle-like structures in polar solvents. They contain a polar head and a non-polar tail. They arrange themselves in such a way that their hydrophobic tails are shielded away from the polar environment.

a. Hydrophobic interactions among non-polar tails of fatty acids and polar interactions between solvent and polar heads of fatty acids stabilize the formation of micelles.

b. Addition of a non-polar solute or solvent to water decreases the formation of micelles in water. Addition of salts to a non-polar solvent increases the formation of micelles in a non-polar solvent.

c. Covalent bonds among C-C or C-H in the fatty acid have no effect on micelle formation.

d. The free energy of micelle formation decreases with increasing temperature. High temperatures break H-bonds to gain entropy.

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