Lipids
Lipids
• Greek word 'lipos” means fats
• Lipids are composed of C, H, O
–long hydrocarbon chains (H-C)
• insoluble in water
• soluble in organic solvents like
ether, alcohol, benzene, etc.
• Example:
• butter, oil, cholesterol, etc.
Functions of Lipids
• energy storage
• protection
• insulation
• lubrication
• hormone precursors
• cell membrane
Four Categories of Lipids
–Triglycerides
–Phospholipids
–Steroids
–Waxes
Triglycerides
– it includes Fats and Oils
• Structure = 3 fatty acids chains linked to
glycerol
3 fatty
Glycerol
acids
Saturated fats
• All C bonded to H
• No C=C double bonds
– long, straight chain
– most animal fats and butter
– solid at room temperature
• contributes to
cardiovascular disease
Unsaturated fats
• At least one C=C double bond in
the fatty acids
– plant & fish fats
– vegetable oils
– liquid at room temperature
Saturated vs. Unsaturated
saturated unsaturated
Phospholipids
• Structure: 2 fatty acids
chains + phosphate head
• Fatty acid chains = non-polar
= hydrophobic “water
fearing”
• Phosphate head = polar =
hydrophillic “water loving”
• Function: make up cell
membranes
(phospholipid bilayer)
Phospholipid
Phospholipid
The structure is called a "lipid
• bilayer" because it is composed of
two layers of fatcells organized in
two sheets. The lipid bilayer is
typically about five nanometers
thick and surrounds all cells
providing the cell membrane
structure.
What can pass through the
phospholipid bilayer?
Because of the chemical and
structural nature of the
phospholipid bilayer (hydrophobic
core), only lipid-soluble molecules
and some small molecules are
able to freely pass through the
lipid bilayer. Ions and large polar
molecules cannot pass through
the lipid bilayer.
Steroids
Types of Steroids
• Cholesterol
• Sex Hormones
–estrogens (female hormones)
–androgens (male hormones)
–progestins (pregnancy
hormones)
Cholesterol
• fat-like substance made by the
liver
• our body needs cholesterol to
make :
• 1. Hormones
• 2. Vit. D
• 3. Substance that helps digest
food called Bile.
Steroids
• Structure: 4 fused Carbon rings
• examples:
– cholesterol – Function =control the
fluidity of the cell membrane
– hormones – Function = regulate
processes in the body (such as
pregnancy)
– vitamins (A, B, D) – Function = supports
metabolism and cell processes
Cholesterol
• LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein)
-“the bad cholesterol”
• HDL (High Density Lipoprotein)
-“the good cholesterol”
Sex Hormones
–estrogens (female hormones)
–androgens (male hormones)
–progestins (pregnancy hormones)
• A steroid is a biologically
active organic compound
with four rings arranged
in a specific molecular
configuration. Steroids
have two principal
biological functions: as
important components of
cell membranes which
alter membrane fluidity;
and as signaling
molecules.
Waxes
• Waxes are esters of long-chain alcohols
and saturated fatty acids.
Waxes
• Solid at room temp.
• Insoluble in water
• Function:
– Protective covering for
animals and plants
Waxes
Example:
Type: Source: Uses:
Beeswax Honeycomb candle,shoe polish, wax
paper
Carnauba wax Brazilian Palm Tree waxes for
furniture, cars, floors,shoes
Jojoba wax Jojoba Bush candles, soap,
cosmetics
These molecules are completely water-
insoluble and generally solid at
biological temperatures. Their strongly
hydrophobic nature allows them to
function as water repellents on the
leaves of some plants, on feathers, and
on the cuticles of certain insects.
Waxes also serve as energy-storage
substances in plankton (microscopic
aquatic plants and animals) and in
higher members of the aquatic food
chain
Whales and many fishes also store
large quantities of waxes.
What is the function of a triglyceride?
1. Stores and
75%
transfers genetic
information
2. Long term energy
storage
3. Control the rate of
reactions 15%
10%
4. Help to fight 0%
disease
1 2 3 4
Which type of lipid makes up the
majority of the cell membrane?
1. phospholipids 79%
2. waxes
3. steroids
4. triglycerides
11%
5% 5%
1 2 3 4
Fats that have at least one double
bond between Carbon atoms are
called
1. Unsaturated 65%
2. Saturated
3. Glycerol
4. Fatty Acids
20%
10%
5%
1 2 3 4
Phospholipids have a
1. hydrophobic head
and hydrophilic tail 84%
2. hydrophilic head
and hydrophobic
tail
16%
1 2
Which of the following is an example
of a steroid
1. Fatty acids 88%
2. Sex hormones
3. Phospholipids
4. Olive Oil
12%
0% 0%
1 2 3 4
