Lipid Structure

Lipids are organic substances which are nonpolar molecules that are soluble in non – polar solvents but insoluble in water. Since water is a polar molecule, therefore, they are insoluble in it. Oil, whole milk, butter, red meats, butter, butter, cheese, and fried foods all contain lipids, which are generated in the liver.

Lipid

Lipids are an organic molecule that serves as a framework for the further structure and function in living cells. Hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms make up these organic molecules. Lipids are hydrocarbon processing molecules that are considered as the building blocks of the living cell.

Lipids are a vital component of all the structures and functions executed by living cells, and they constitute an energy supply chain which is required by the body to mobilise the hydrocarbons and release sufficient energy.

Lipid Structure

Fatty acids and Glycerol are the two primary components of a fat molecule. Glycerol is a 3 – carbon, 5 – hydrogen, and 3 – hydroxyl (OH) group chemical molecule. The name fatty acid comes from the lengthy chain of hydrocarbons with which a carboxyl group is connected. The number of carbons in a fatty acid can vary from four to thirty-six. The ones with 12 –18 carbons are the most prevalent. The fatty acids in a fat molecule form an ester link with each of the glycerol molecule’s three carbons via an oxygen atom. In a dehydration reaction, three fatty acids are joined to a glycerol backbone to generate triacylglycerol. The triacylglycerol’s three fatty acids may be identical or distinct.

Another form of lipid is a phospholipid. It’s an amphipathic molecule, which means it has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic sides. The fatty acid chains are hydrophobic, meaning they don’t interact with water; however, the phosphate -containing group is hydrophilic, meaning it does. The phospholipids’ hydrophilic head groups face aqueous solution. The hydrophobic tails are trapped in bilayer’s centre.

Saturated Lipids

Saturated lipids are most basic type of fatty acid chain, as they are unbranched and have a linear CH2 chain.

Saturation is a phrase that refers to the maximum amount of hydrogen atoms that can be bound to each carbon atom in a molecule.

Unsaturated Lipids

Unsaturated lipids are made up of a lengthy chain of double-bonded carbons with more than one connected carbon.

The term unsaturated refers to the largest number of hydrogen atoms bound to other carbon molecules feasible.

Carbon molecules are joined together by double bonds, giving rise to the terms monounsaturated (double bond structures) and polyunsaturated (more than the double bond structures).

Lipids Functions

Hormones Regulation

Lipids aid in the regulation of hormones as well as the maintenance of a consistent body temperature and internal climate. Lipids are a crucial component of the cell membrane, as they aid in the fluidity and flexibility of the membrane.

Lipids are necessary for the efficient functioning of the human reproductive system. Omega 3 and Omega 6 are two of the most beneficial and important fatty acids that aid in cholesterol regulation, joint inflammation control, and blood clotting prevention. 

Energy Storage

The surplus energy digested with our food is occasionally absorbed by adipose tissue and other fatty tissues. Carbohydrates and lipids contribute around 30–70% of the entire amount of energy needed by the human body, with fat providing the remaining energy.

Properties of Lipid

• Lipids are chemical molecules with diverse compositions.  Oxygen atoms, carbon, hydrogen, and other gases such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur are all found in lipids.
• Lipids are the fundamental components of living cells. They conserve energy by storing it in the form of fats and oil. They have an important structural role in the formation of cell membranes.
• Lipids supply energy for a variety of live activities and performances. They’re organic compounds with a lot of energy.
• Because water is a polar component, lipids are insoluble in water. Lipids are soluble only in nonpolar chemicals.
• Lipids are important in biological systems because they serve as a mechanical barrier that separates a cell from its external environment (the cell membrane).

Conclusion

Lipids are non-polar and hydrophobic macromolecules. The most prevalent types include fats, oils, phospholipids, waxes, and steroids. Triacylglycerols or triglycerides, generally known as fats, are a kind of energy that is stored in the body. Fats are made up of fatty acids, glycerol, and sphingosine. Unsaturated and saturated fatty acids are distinguished by the presence or lack of double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain. Single-bond fatty acids are considered saturated.

Unsaturated fatty acids have 1 or more double bonds in their hydrocarbon chains. Phospholipids make up the membrane matrix. A sphingosine backbone or glycerol connects 2 fatty acid chains and one phosphate-containing group.