Lipids

Lipids
(Nonpolar molecule)
Common Names: Fats, oils, waxes
Examples:
Fats Triglycerides with saturated and/or
unsaturated fatty acid chains
Phospholipids (plasma/cell membrane)
Steroids
Found in meat, butter, lard

Elements: C, H, O

 Functions:
1. Barrier Fats form a barrier between cell & its
watery environment (plasma membrane).
2.Long-term energy storage. We have fat cells
filled with Triglycerides. These fat molecules
contain a large number of C-H bonds which is
where energy is stored, making fats much more
efficient molecules for storing chemical energy
for future use.
3.Insulation Fat found under the skin insulate
the deeper body tissues from heat loss &
protect them from mechanical trauma

Lipids
are composed of Triglycerides
1 Glycerol (a 3 Carbon molecule)
3 Fatty Acids which are attached to each of the carbons in
glycerol.
Carboxyl group at the end of Fatty Acid indicates that it is a
lipid

O
- C - OH
Carboxyl group

along with a hydrocarbon chain

Saturated Fatty Acids

(Bad Fats)
Solid at room temperature
Maximum # of H are attached to C
Carboxyl group at the end

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

(Good Fats)
Liquid at room temperature
C have double bonds
thus C are not full of H (missing Hs)
Missing more than one H = polyunsaturated

Carboxyl group at the end

POLY -

Phospholipids:
Phospholipids are modified Triglycerides

Fatty Acid Tails