AP Biology Flashcards: Lipids
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
Based on the text, what is the biological role of steroids?
Steroids are a class of lipids that function in cell signaling.
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Based on the text, what is the biological role of steroids?
Steroids are a class of lipids that function in cell signaling.
What are the subcomponents from which lipids are assembled?
Lipids are assembled from subcomponents such as fatty acids.
Which type of lipid is primarily responsible for forming the structure of cell membranes?
Phospholipids are the lipids that provide structural support in cell membranes.
How does the bonding in fatty acids affect a lipid's characteristics?
Whether a fatty acid is saturated (all single bonds) or unsaturated (at least one double bond) affects the physical properties of the overall lipid molecule.
What are the primary functions of lipids in a biological system?
Lipids perform diverse functions including energy storage, cell signaling, providing structural support in membranes, and insulation.
Why are lipids considered hydrophobic?
Lipids are considered hydrophobic because they are nonpolar molecules, which prevents them from dissolving in polar substances like water.
What is a key chemical property of lipids?
Lipids are nonpolar, hydrophobic molecules, meaning they do not mix with water.
Define an unsaturated fatty acid.
An unsaturated fatty acid is a lipid subcomponent that contains at least one double bond between its carbon atoms.
An organism needs to store energy for long-term use. Which class of lipid would be best suited for this role?
Fats are the class of lipid specialized for long-term energy storage.
Define a saturated fatty acid.
A saturated fatty acid is a lipid subcomponent that contains only single bonds between its carbon atoms.