Lipids

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Lipids

• a group of biomolecules that play an important role in living organisms
• primary function: long-term energy storage
• other functions: used for protection, insulation, lubrication, precursors for hormones, key component of cell membranes
• insoluble in water (hydrophobic)

Waxes

• non-polar (rebel water)

Where is it found

outer surfaces of animals

the protective coating of leaves

Purposes

produced in the ears of some animals to protect the eardrums

bees construct honeycombs from wax

Water repellents

Energy-Storage Substances

Steroids

Fused rings of carbon (4)

• each fused ring has different functional groups attached

Cholesterol

• Serves as a precursor for the synthesis of other steroids
• present in plasma membranes, where it stabilizes the membrane

Cortisone

Vitamin D

Estrogen

Testosterone

• have small differences in its functional groups, but large differences in its effect on an organism

Help Contol Metabolism

Helps Immune Functions

Play Roles in Reproduction

Phospholipids

• unique properties in regard to water
• tend to arrange themselves so that only hydrophilic heads interact with the water environment and the hydrophobic tails crowd inward away from the water
• this structure is a major component of plasma membranes of the cell
• make a structure called the phospholipid bilayer
• can move past each other freely

Phosphate Group

• the phosphate head of the molecule is hydrophilic (mixes well with water)

Fatty Acids (2)

• fatty acids move about and take an organized structure (micelle)

Phospholipid Bilayer

• found in the membrane of the cell
• membranes are fluid mosaic

Form Structures for Transportation Throughout the Bloodstream

Critcial for Cell Membranes

Triglycerides

Oils

• liquid at room temperature
• used by plants for long-term energy storage

Olive oil

Corn oil

Fats

• solid at room temperature
• used by animals for insulation, protection, and long-term energy storage

Butter

Lard

Subunit Molecules

Fatty Acids (3)

• has 3 main parts: the hydrocarbon chain (the chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms), a methyl group at one end, an acid group at the other end
• fatty acids move about and take an organized structure (micelle)

Unsaturated

• known as cis fatty acids
• have one to several double bonds
• double bonds result in kinks in fatty acids which can affect the melting point of the fat

Trans Fat

• an unsaturated fat where the hydrogen atoms are on opposite sides of the double bond
• usually formed during the production of processed foods (also common in partially hydrogenated oils)
• associated with cardiovascular disease

Saturated

• only single carbon to carbon bonds (this is because the carbon chain is saturated with all the hydrogen atoms it can hold)

Glycerol

Functions

Insulation

Protection

Long-Term Energy Storage