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Understanding Lipids: Types and Functions

Lipids are a diverse group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, oils, waxes, sterols, and fat-soluble vitamins. They are nonpolar compounds that dissolve readily in organic solvents rather than water. Triglycerides are the main form of lipid energy storage in animals and plants, consisting of a glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acid chains. Fats are solid triglycerides while oils are liquid, with the difference being their melting point. Phospholipids are abundant in cell membranes where they spontaneously form a lipid bilayer, providing a barrier that regulates what passes in and out of cells. Waxes are esters of long-chain fatty acids and alcohols that

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Alyssa Ong
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80 views22 pages

Understanding Lipids: Types and Functions

Lipids are a diverse group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, oils, waxes, sterols, and fat-soluble vitamins. They are nonpolar compounds that dissolve readily in organic solvents rather than water. Triglycerides are the main form of lipid energy storage in animals and plants, consisting of a glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acid chains. Fats are solid triglycerides while oils are liquid, with the difference being their melting point. Phospholipids are abundant in cell membranes where they spontaneously form a lipid bilayer, providing a barrier that regulates what passes in and out of cells. Waxes are esters of long-chain fatty acids and alcohols that

Uploaded by

Alyssa Ong
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Alyssa M.

Ong

Lipids are a group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others.

Fats, oils, and other water-insoluble compounds are called LIPIDS.

Lipids tend to dissolve readily in organic solvents, such as ether and chloroform, rather than in highly polar solvents such as water. This property sets them apart from biological substances such as carbohydrates and proteins.

Triglycerides (Fats and Oil) Phospholipids Waxes

Natural Triglycerides are fats and oils that are triesters of glycerol with fatty acids, which are long-chain carboxylic acids (C12 through C24). Triglycerides are important as the long-tem storage form of energy in the

These triglycerides (or triacylglycerols) are found in both plants and animals, and compose one of the major food groups of our diet. Triglycerides that are solid or semisolid at room temperature are classified as fats, and occur predominantly in animals. Those triglycerides that are liquid are called oils and originate chiefly in plants, although triglycerides from fish are

The difference between fats and oils is simply that fats are solid at room temperature and oils are liquid. From the organic chemists point of view, however, fats and oils are both esters. Like other esters, they are easily hydrolyzed in the presence of

The hydrolysis of oils or fats by boiling with an aqueous solution of an alkali-metal hydroxide is called SAPONIFICATION. Saponification is the process used to make soap. Soaps are thus the alkali metal (Na, K, or Li) salts of fatty acids.

Phospholipids, or lipids that contain phosphate groups, are abundant in cells. Figure 1.3 shows a typical phospholipid lecithin molecule.

You know the solubility rule, Like dissolves Like. In water, lecithin, which is only partly hydrophobic and only partly hydrophilic, behaves like both an insoluble hydrocarbon and a soluble ionic compound.

In water, the hydrophobic carbon chains aggregate to exclude water. The hydrophilic part is drawn to water, which can solvate it. This results in the spontaneous formation of a spherical double layer of phospholipid called a Lipid Bilayer.

Cell membranes consists primarily of lipid bilayers. The lipid bilayer of a cell membrane is a barrier against the passage of molecules and ions into and out of

Proteins, such as enzymes, may be bound to the interior surface of the membrane. Many membrane proteins have attached carbohydrate molecules. The carbohydrate portion is on the exterior of the lipid bilayer, where it can hydrogen-bond with water. The protein portion is on the interior of the lipid bilayer, so it does not contact the water.

Waxes are also part of the lipid family. Waxes are esters of long-chain fatty acids and longchain alcohols. The hydrocarbon chains for bot the acid and the alcohol usually contain from 10 to 30 carbon

Waxes are low melting, stable solids that occur in both plants and animals. In plants, a wax coat protects the surfaces of leaves from water loss and attack by microorganisms. For example, carnauba wax, a major ingredient in car wax and floor polish, is found on the leaves of a South American Palm Tree.

In many animals, waxes coat the skin, hair, and feathers and are used to help keep these structures pliable and waterproof. Beeswax, is largely myricyl palmitate, the ester of myricyl alcohol and palmitic acid.

Waxes are widely distributed in nature. The leaves and fruits of many plants have waxy coatings, which may protect them from dehydration and small predators. The feathers of birds and the fur of some animals have similar coatings which serve as a water repellent. Carnuba wax is valued for its toughness and water resistance.

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