LIPIDS

LIPIDS
• Lipids are organic compound that are nonpolar molecules which are poorly
soluble in water but they dissolve in organic solvents such as benzene and
chloroform.
• Its primary function is for long term energy storage and is also used for
protection, insulation, precursor to some hormones and cell membranes.
• They are important dietary constituents not only because of the high
energy value of fats but also because essential fatty acids, fat-soluble
vitamins, and other lipophilic micronutrients are contained in the fat
of natural foods.
• Lipids are the polymers of fatty acids that contain a long, non-polar
hydrocarbon chain with a small polar region containing oxygen.
1. TRIGLYCERIDES

- Fats (lard and butter) are solid at room temperature used by animals
for protection, insulation and long term energy storage.
- Oil (such as corn oil and olive oil) that is liquid in room temperature is
used by plants for long term energy storage.
Molecular level
• triglycerides contain two subunits molecules

1. 1 Glycerol
2. 3 Fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated)
Fatty acids
3 main parts: hydrocarbon chain, methyl group at one end and acid
group at other end.
 • Saturated Fatty acid
- has single carbon to carbon bond.
Solid at room temp
- animal fat
• Unsaturated fatty acid
- has one to several double bonds
resulting in kinks in the fatty acid
chain which affect in the melting point
in the fat.
- vegetable oils and trans fat
2. PHOSPHOLIPIDS
- Similar to triglyceride, contains glycerol and 2 fatty acid but
difference is that a phosphate group rather than a 3rd fatty acid is
attached to the 3rd carbon of glycerol.
3. STEROIDS
- Composed of four fused rings of carbon to which different
functional groups are attached.
-One well-known steroid molecule is cholesterol. Cholesterol serves
as a precursor for the synthesis of other steroids such as testosterone,
estrogen, vit D, and cortisone. Cholesterol is present in plasma
membrane where it stabilizes the membrane.
4. WAX
- it is non polar and repels water. Found in the protective coating
on leaves and on outer surfaces of animals.
- Wax is produced in the ears of some animals to protect the
eardrum. In addition, bees construct honey combs from wax.
Youtube video reference
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81SpohOUHjA
• https://youtu.be/tvl5uciEGU0
• Start at 14:00