Biochemistry Lectures/ Asst. Prof. Dr. Amal S.

Majeed
Faculty of Nursing/University of Kufa
1st Stage 2019-2020

Lipids
General definition
Lipids comprise very heterogeneous group of compounds which are
insoluble in water but soluble in non-polar organic solvents such us benzene,
chloroform, and ether. They are present in all living organisms. Lipids include
fats, oils, waxes and related compounds.
Biological functions of Lipids
1. Body lipids are reservoir of potential chemical energy. Lipids have a high
calorific value (9.3 calories per gram) which is twice as great as
carbohydrate. Large amount of energy is stored as lipid than as
carbohydrates.
2. Lipids are responsible for membrane integrity and regulation of
membrane permeability.
3. The subcutaneous lipids serve as insulating materials against atmospheric
heat and cold and protect internal organs.
4. They serve as a source of fat soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, D, E and K)
and essential fatty acids. (Linoleic, Linolenic and Arachidonic acid).
5. Lipids serve as metabolic regulators of steroid hormones and
prostaglandins.
6. Lipids present in inner mitochondrial membrane actively participate in
electron transport chain.
7. Polyunsaturated fatty acids help in lowering blood cholesterol.
8. Squalamine, a steroid, is a potential antibiotic and antifungal agent.

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 Biochemistry Lectures/ Asst. Prof. Dr. Amal S. Majeed
Faculty of Nursing/University of Kufa
1st Stage 2019-2020

Classification
There are two ways of classification:
By structure:
1. Simple: fats, oils, waxes, steroids.
2. Complex: phospholipids, spingolipids, glygolipids.
3. Their derivatives: hormones, fat-solubility vitamins
On the basis of whether they undergo hydrolysis reactions in alkaline solution:
1. Saponifiable lipids can be hydrolyzed under alkaline conditions to yield
salts of fatty acids.
2. Nonsaponifiable lipids do not undergo hydrolysis reactions in alkaline
solution.
Fatty Acids
The fatty acids are the basic units of lipid molecules. Fatty acids are
derivatives of aliphatic hydrocarbon chain that contains a carboxylic acid group.
Over 200 fatty acids have been isolated from various lipids. They differ among
themselves in the following:
1. Hydrocarbon chain length.
2. Number and position of double bonds.
3. The nature of substituents such as oxy-, keto-, epoxy groups and cyclic
structure.
Depending on the absence, or presence of double bonds, they are
classified into saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (see table 2-1).

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 Biochemistry Lectures/ Asst. Prof. Dr. Amal S. Majeed
Faculty of Nursing/University of Kufa
1st Stage 2019-2020

Table (5): Common Biological Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids

Fatty acids required in the diet are called essential fatty acids (EFA).
They are not synthesized by the body and are mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids
(PUFA). For example: Linoleic acid, Linolenic acid, Arachidonic acid.
Functions of essential fatty acids
They are required for membrane structure and function, transport of
cholesterol, formation of lipoproteins and prevention of fatty liver.
Deficiency of essential fatty acids
The deficiency of essential fatty acid results in phrynoderma or toad
skin.

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 Biochemistry Lectures/ Asst. Prof. Dr. Amal S. Majeed
Faculty of Nursing/University of Kufa
1st Stage 2019-2020

Waxes
Waxes are simple lipids that, like oils and fats, are also esters of fatty
acids. However, the alcohol portion of a wax is derived from long-chain
alcohols (12-34 carbons) rather than glycerol. Note the presence of long
hydrocarbon chains on each side of the ester functional group in waxes.

Fig.(10): Block diagram of beeswax

Biological role of waxes
They serve as protective coatings on leaves, stems, and fruit of plants
and the skin and fur of animals.
Steroids
Structurally, steroids are easily recognized because they all contain a
characteristic fourfused ring system; three cyclohexane rings and one
cyclopentane ring. Each carbon of a steroid molecule is numbered and each ring
carries a letter designation.

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 Biochemistry Lectures/ Asst. Prof. Dr. Amal S. Majeed
Faculty of Nursing/University of Kufa
1st Stage 2019-2020

Fig.(11): Steroid ring system

The most abundant steroid found in the human body, and the most
important, is cholesterol.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is an animal sterol which occurs either free or as fatty

esters. It was first isolated from human gallstones deposited in the bile duct. A
man weighing 70 kg contains about 140 grams of cholesterol. The cholesterol
concentration of blood in human is between 150 to 250 mg per 100 ml, being
distributed equally between the cells and the plasma. The half life of cholesterol
is about 8 to 12 days.
The –ol ending in cholesterol indicates an alcohol functional group, this
is located on carbon 3.
Notice the following:
 A hydroxyl (–OH) group on carbon 3.
 A methyl (–CH3) group on carbon 10.
 A methyl (–CH3) group on carbon 13.
 A double bond between carbons 5 and 6.
 A carbon chain at carbon 17.

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 Biochemistry Lectures/ Asst. Prof. Dr. Amal S. Majeed
Faculty of Nursing/University of Kufa
1st Stage 2019-2020

Fig.(12): Structure of cholesterol

In humans, most steroids function as hormones, powerful chemical
messengers that transport signals from one cell to another. There are two main
classes of steroid hormones: the sex hormones and the adrenocortical
hormones, hormones regulate numerous biochemical processes.
Important products derived from cholesterol
In the body cholesterol is converted into several other types of
biologically important steroids, viz. bile acids, bile salts and Vitamin D.
Synthesis of Bile Salts from Bile acids
Bile acids are of two types namely primary and secondary bile acids.
Primary bile acids include cholic acid and chenodeoxy cholic acid and
secondary bile acids include deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid.
Importance
Bile acids are C24 steroids, detergent like compounds that are
responsible for the emulsification and absorption of lipids in the intestine.
Bile salts
Cholic acid is conjugated in the liver with either glycine or taurine
through peptide linkages forming the bile salts glycocholic acid and taurocholic
acid respectively. They combine with sodium and potassium present in the bile

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