LIPIDS

LIPIDS

• A group of compounds, that are related more by their physical properties than by their
chemical properties

– insoluble in water (they are compartmentalized to protect themselves from the watery environment
of the cell.
– soluble in non polar solvent such as ether and chloroform.
FUNCTIONS

• Important constituents of diet

• Storage form of energy
• Provide thermal insulation
• Serves as electrical insulators of myelinated nerves
CLASSIFICATIONS OF LIPIDS

Simple lipids Complex lipid Precursor lipids

Fats Phopholpids Fatty acids
waxes Glycolipids Glycerol
Lipoproteins Steroids
Sulfolipids Ketone bodies
Aminolipids Hormones
Fat soluble vitamins and
micronutrients
CLASSIFICATIONS OF LIPIDS

• Simple lipids- esters of fatty acids with various alcohols

– fats (glycerol)
– Waxes ( higher molecular weight monohydric alcohol)
• Complex lipids- contains group in addition to alcohol and a fatty acids.
– Phospholipids (alcohol + phosphoric acid)
• Glycerophospholipids( glycerol + phosphoric acid)
• Sphingophospholipids ( sphingosine+phosphoric acid residues)

• Precursor lipids
IMPORTANT TO KNOW

• Phospholipids are the main lipid constituents of membranes

– Phosphatidylcholines (lecithins)- represent a large proportion of body’s store of choline,
– Phosphatidylinositol- a precursor of second messenger
– Cardiolipin- major lipids of mitochondrial membranes (aging, heart failure, hypothyroidism and barth
syndrome)
– Lysophospholipids- these are phosphoacylglycerols containing only one acyl radical, they have
implications in promoting atherosclerosis.
– Plasmogens- occurs in brain and muscles( 10 % of brain and muscle’s phospholipids)
– Sphingomyelins- found in the nervouse system.
• Fatty acids occurs in the body mainly as esters, but are found unesterified in the form of free
fatty acids ( a transport form in the plasma).
FATTY ACIDS

• Long chains of carboxylic acids

Fatty acids structure remarks

Lauric acid 12:0 Predominant FA in coconut oil
Palmitic acid 16:0 End product of mammalian FA synthesis
Oleic acid 18:1(9) Predominant FA in olive oil
Linoleic acid 18: 2(9,12) Essential fatty acids
Linolenic acid 18:3(9.12.15) Essential fatty acids
Arachidonic acid 20: 4(5.8.11.14) Precursor of prostaglandins, derived from
linoleic acids
FATTY ACIDS

• Saturation of fatty acids:

– Saturated
– Unsaturated
• Monounsaturated
• Polyunsaturated
• Eicosanoids- compounds derived from eicosa ( 20-carbon backbone), comprise the prostanoids, LTs, LXs.
TRIACYLGLYCEROLS
(TRIGLYCERIDES)
• Main storage form of fatty acids
• Esters of the trihydric alcohol glycerol and fatty acids.
– Monoacylglycerols
– Diacylglycerols
AMPHIPATHIC LIPIDS
READING ASSIGNMENT

• Ergosterol
• Micelles
• Liposomes
• Emulsions
• Lipid peroxidations as a source of free radicals
CLINICAL CORRELATES
LIPID MALABSORTION

• Results in deficiency in fat soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids.( ichthyosis, scaly
dermatitis), hair loss, poor wound healing, visual and neurologic abnormalities.
• Probable cause.
– Liver disease
– Pancreatic disease
– Cholelitihasis
– Shortened
– Intestinal mucosal defects
Thank you.