27) Lipids OBJECTIVES + Identify the different types of ipics. + Discuss the functions of lipids. ‘Asecond important group of organic compounds I ipl (l= fat). Lipids make up 18-25% of body mass in lean adults. Like carbohydrates, lipids contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Triglycerides ‘The mest plentiful ipids in your body and in your diet are the triglycerides (trGLI-ser-ids; tr = three), also known as tra ‘eyiglycerols. & triglyceride consists of two types of building blocks: a single glycerol molecule and three fatty acid mole. ‘cules. Athree-carbon glycerol molecule forms the backbone of triglyceride (Figure 2.17b, c) Three fatty acids are attached Steroids The structure of sterolds ders considerably from that ofthe Itigycerides, Steroidshave four rings of carbonatoms (colored gold in Figure 2.19). Body cells synthesize other steroids from cholesterol (Figure 2.192), which has a large nonpolar region «consisting of the four rings and a hydrocarbon tall. In the body, ‘the commonly encountered steroids, such as cholesterol, estrogens, testosterone, cortisol, bile salts, and vitamin D, are known as sterols because they also have at least one hydroxy! {alcoho} group |—oH}). Te polar ryaroxy groups make sterols ‘weakly amphipathic. Cholesterol is needed for cel membrane structure; estrogens and testosterone are requlted for regu lating sexual functions; cortisol is necessary for maintaining normal blood sugar tevets; bil salts are needed for lipid diges tion and absorption; and vitamin Dis related to bone growth. In Chapter 10, we wil discuss the use of anabolic steroids by athletes to increase muscle size strength, and endurance.Phospholipids Like triglycerides, phospholipids (Figure 2.18) havea glycerol backbone and two fatty acid chains attached to the first two ‘carbons. In the third position, however, a phosphate group (PO,*Vlinks a small charged group that usually contains nitro- gen (N) to the backbone. This portion of the molecule (the “head” Is polar and can form hydrogen bonds with water mol- ‘ecules. The two fatty acids (the “tails"), by contrast, are non- polar and can interact only with other lipids. Molecules that have both polar and nonpolar parts are said to be amphipa- ‘thic (am-f6-PATH-1k; amphi-=on both sides; -pathic = feeling). Amphipathic phospholipids line up tail-to-tail in.a double row ‘to make up much of the membrane that surrounds each cell (Figure 2.18¢). Other Lipids Eleosanolds (i-K0-sa-noyds; eicasa-= twenty) are lipids derived from a 20-carbon fatty acid called arachidonic acid. The two Pot hand Phozpholils. (an tho ste ofshoshbls wo aah othe it wo cons the cheaaltucbone A phosphate pou inks 2 chrged grupo he trdcartonn geal.) hee epresersthe pr teadregin, she twos ime represent he ao apo Double Bondsinte tty acd iyecrbon han often fom rks theta ‘Phospholipids ae amphipathic molecules, having both polar and nonpoarrepions lc) rangonan poset spon oes romeo (0 Site reptesetabn ot posse le)Ohamialaiense oa promotes —_@ Which pation phorphalid ithyeopi, and which partonic hydrophobic?EEEIITERTS steroids. altsterids have four rings of carbon §toms: The individual rings are designated by the letters A, 8, C, and D. Cholesterol, which is synthesized in the liver, is the starting material for synthesis of other steroids in the body. Hydrocarbon tail, He. | on, ° te on CH, ] CH,) " Se ‘Hydroxyl group HO: (@) chotesterot () Esvadiol (an estrogen oF female ees hormone) on CH,) HOH a go a onto, Ho. ‘cn ° {6) Testosterone (a mate ex hormone) ° (6) Consol @ How is the structure of estradiol different from that of ‘testosterone? principal subclasses of eicosanoids are the prostaglandins (pros"ta-GLAN-dins) and the leukotrienes (loo"KO-TRI-En2). Prostaglandins have a wide variety of functions. They mod- ify responses to hormones, contribute to the inflammatory response (Chepter22), prevent stomach uleers, dilate (enlarge) airways tothe lungs, regulate body temperature, and influence formation of blood clots, to name just afew. Leukotrienes par ticipate in allergic and inflammatory responses. Other lipids include fat-soluble vitamins such as beta- carotenes (the yellow-orange pigments in agg yolk, carrots, and tomatoes that are converted to vitamin A); vitamins D, E, and K; and lipoproteins.