Lipids are waxy or oily, water-insoluble biological
compounds found in cells.
- fats or oils that are insoluble in water and store
energy or form parts of cell membranes.
- They are soluble in non-polar solvents like ether,
chloroform, and benzene. Lipids function biochemically
in combination with proteins and carbohydrates.
Types of Lipids:
1. Saponifiable Lipids:
• Can undergo hydrolysis by a base (saponification).
• Subcategories:
• Simple lipids: Yield fatty acids and glycerol upon
hydrolysis.
• Complex lipids: Yield fatty acids, glycerol, and
additional compounds.
2. Non-saponifiable Lipids:
• Do not undergo saponification.
• Example: Steroids.
In short, - Saponifiable lipids can be broken down by a base
into smaller molecules like fatty acids and glycerol through a
process called saponification.
Non-saponifiable lipids- cannot be broken down by
saponification and include molecules like steroids, which do
not contain fatty acids.
Fatty Acids:
• the building blocks of the fat in our bodies and in the
food we eat.
• Structure: Long-chain carboxylic acids.
• Sources: Formed from the hydrolysis of
triglycerides (fats and oils).
Saturated Fatty Acids:
• Only single bonds between carbon atoms.
• Solid at room temperature (e.g., lard, tallow,
butter).
• Unreactive, waxy solids.
Unsaturated Fatty Acids:
• Contain one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.
• Liquid at room temperature (e.g., olive oil, corn
oil).
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., linoleic acid,
arachidonic acid) are considered “good cholesterol” because
they lower LDL levels.
Triglycerides (Triglycerols):
• Simple lipids that can be solid (fats) or liquid (oils).
• Difference between fats and oils:
- Oils contain more unsaturated fatty acids, making them
more fluid.
- Fats contain more saturated fatty acids, making them
solid.
Waxes
• Esters formed from long-chain fatty acids and
monohydric alcohols.
• Undergo hydrogenation, hydrolysis, and
saponification.
Phospholipids & Glycolipids:
• Phospholipids:
• Complex lipids with fatty acids, alcohol (glycerol or
sphingosine), and a phosphate group.
• Glycolipids:
• Complex lipids containing a sugar group rather
than a phosphate group.
Steroids (Non-Saponifiable Lipids):
• Contain a complex 4-ring structure.
• They play various roles in the body, such as
regulating metabolism, immune function, and development.
• Examples include Vitamin D, bile acids, hormones,
and cholesterol.
• High levels of saturated fats can lead to cholesterol
deposition in blood vessels, contributing to high cholesterol
levels.
