G R O UP I I :

IN T N
RODUC TI O
The word lipid is derived from a Greek word "lipos"
which means Fat.

Biological lipids are a chemically diverse group of organic

compounds which are insoluble in water.

They are soluble in non-polar solvents such as-

ether, chloroform, or benzene.

They are the chief storage form of energy, they provide 6-

fold as much energy as an equivalent mass of glycogen.
A lipid is chemically defined as a substance
that is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol,
ether, and chloroform. Lipids are an important
component of living cells. Together with
carbohydrates and proteins, lipids are the main
constituents of plant and animal cells.
Cholesterol and triglycerides are lipids. And
Lipids are fatty, waxy, or oily compounds that
are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble in
polar solvents such as water. Lipids include:
Fats and oils.
Lipids are generally nonpolar and
do not mix well with water, making
them hydrophobic.
Mainly made of hydrocarbon chains
(or rings) and contain fewer polar
hydroxyl groups (-OH).
They can serve as insulators to help
regulate body temperature.
Some lipids, like waxes and oils,
can provide protection to
organisms and structures.
Lipids are involved in the
production of hormones and other
signaling molecules in the body.
Lipids provide more energy when
metabolized than carbohydrates or
proteins, making them valuable for
long-term energy storage.
Lipids can either be saturated or
unsaturated.
Lipids are large complex molecules
Includes fats, oils, phospholipids,
and cholesterol
Building blocks are fatty acids and
glycerol.
Lipids have a molecular structure comprising long
hydrocarbon chains attached to a polar head group,
including triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols.
They are essential for cell membranes, energy
storage, and signaling pathways in the body.
Understanding the interactions of molecules in
biological processes, like DNA replication, RNA
transcription, and protein translation, relies on
comprehending the three-dimensional arrangement
of atoms within molecules, which can take various
shapes.
 One four

They serve as a storage form of

Steroid hormones send messages in
metabolic fuel. (fatty acid,
cells.
Triacyglycerol).

two
They provide the structural
components of membranes
(phospholipids, glycolipids,
galactolipids, sphingolipids)
five
Lipids are a fundamental part of cell
membranes, where they help
maintain the integrity and fluidity of
the membrane.

three
six
Phospholipids and cholesterol make
biological membranes. Phospholipids They serve as a storage form of
are like gatekeepers that let some metabolic fuel. (fatty acid,
molecules into your cells but require Triacyglycerol).
others to come in with proteins.
GLYCEROL

•Is a type of lipid made up of glycerol linked

esterically to a fatty acid.
•One of the most commonly known
glycerolipids is a triglyceride (also referred to
as triacylglycerol).
•The triglyceride is an energy-rich compound
consisting of glycerol and three fatty acids.
PHOSPHOLIPID
•A glycerophospholipid, or simply phospholid ,
is a type of lipid that is an essential
component of many biological membranes,
particularly the lipid bilayer of cells.
•Phospholipids are amphipathic compounds in
a way that the ‘head‘ is hydrophilic and the
lipophilic ‘tail‘ is hydrophobic.
SPHINGOLIPID
•A sphingolipid is a lipid made up of a
sphingoid base (e.g., sphingosine and
ceramides) backbone and sugar residue(s)
linked by a glycosidic bond.
•Examples are cerebrosides and gangliosides.
STEROLS
•A sterol lipod (e.g., cholesterol) is another type
of lipid that serves as an essential component
of the biological membrane.
•Many of them act as hormones and signaling
molecules.
PRENOLS
•A prenol lipid is a type of lipid that is
synthesized from isopentenyl diphosphate and
dimethylallyl diphosphate via the mevalonic
acid pathway.
•Simple isoprenoids (e.g., carotenoids) are
prenol lipids.
Waxes: Waxes are long-chain fatty acids
combined with long-chain alcohols or other
hydrophobic molecules. They provide
waterproofing and protection for plants,
animals, and some fungi.