FUNCTION OF LIPIDS

Fats store energy, help to insulate the

body, and cushion and protect
organs

LIPIDS
General term for compounds which are not
soluble in water.
Lipids are soluble in hydrophobic solvents.
Remember: stores the most energy
Examples:
1. Fats
2. Phospholipids
3. Oils
4. Waxes
5. Steroid hormones
6. Triglycerides

LIPIDS
Six functions of lipids:
1. Long term energy storage
2. Protection against heat loss
(insulation)
3. Protection against physical shock
4. Protection against water loss
5. Chemical messengers (hormones)
6. Major component of cell membranes
(phospholipids)

PHOSPHOLIPIDS
Cell membranes mainly made of
Phospholipids- called a phospholipid bilayer.

LIPIDS

Triglycerides:
composed of 1 glycerol and 3
fatty acids.
H

O
H-C----O C-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3
O
H-C----O C-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3
O
fatty acids
H-C----O C-CH -CH -CH -CH
2
2
2
H

glycerol

TRIGLYCERIDE

FATTY ACIDS
There are two kinds of fatty acids you may see these
on food labels:
1. Saturated fatty acids: no double bonds (bad)
2. Unsaturated
fatty acids: double bonds (good)
O
saturated

C-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3

O
unsaturated C-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH

FATS IN ORGANISMS
Most animal fats have a high
proportion of saturated fatty acids
& exist as solids at room
temperature (butter, margarine,
shortening)

FATS IN ORGANISMS
Most plant oils tend to be low in
saturated fatty acids & exist as
liquids at room temperature (oils)

FATS IN ORGANISMS

______________ Fat

_____________ Fat

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FATS IN ORGANISMS

Saturated Fat

Unsaturated Fat

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LIPIDS
Made mostly of carbon & hydrogen
Made of monomers - Glycerol molecule + fatty acid molecule
Cant be dissolved in H2O
Store energy
Build biological membranes & waterproof coverings
Saturated solid at room temp.
Unsaturated liquid at room temp.

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