LIPID CHEMISTRY

Roselyn G. Dellosa
BSMT 3-2
Lipids
The lipids are heterogenous group of compound,
including fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such
as vitamins A, D, E, and K), monoglycerides,
diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others.

They have the common property of being relatively

soluble in water (e.g. ether, chloroform, acetone &
benzene) and general insolubility in water.
FUNCTION OF LIPIDS
Storage form of energy
Provide shape and contour to the body
Act as metabolic regulators
Provide stored fuel and also take part in many
biological processes.
Lipids are important component of cell membranes
structure in eukaryotic cells.
They serve as source for fat soluble vitamins like A, D,
E, K.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LIPIDS
Following diseases are associated with abnormal
chemistry or metabolism of lipids:
Fatty Liver
Obesity
Diabetes Mellitus
Lipid storage disease
Atherosclerosis
CLASSIFICATION OF LIPIDS
Simple Lipids or Homolipids: Esters of fatty acid linked with various alcohols.
a. Fats and oils (triglycerides, triacylglycerols): Esters of fatty acid with glycerol,
a trihydroxy alcohol. Fat is solid at room temperature, while oil is in liquid
form.
b. Waxes: Esters with higher molecular weight monohydric alcohol.
Compound Lipids or Heterolipids: Fatty acid esters with alcohol and
additional groups.
c. Phospholipids (phosphatids): Phospholipids contain fatty acids, glycerol,
nitrogen bases, phosphoric acid, and other substituents.
d. Glycolipids (cerebrosides): Glycolipids are fatty acids with carbohydrates and
nitrogen but without phosphoric acid.
Derived Lipids: These substances are derived by
hydrolysis from compound and simple lipids. These fatty
acids include alcohols, mono- and diglycerides,
carotenoids, steroids, and terpenes.
a. Steroids: The steroids are biological compounds that
are some of the most studied types of fat. They
contain no fatty acids and unlike fats, are
nonsaponifiable (cannot be hydrolyzed to yield soap).
b. Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a well-studied lipid, because
of its strong correlation with the incidence
cardiovascular disease. It is an important component
of cell membranes and plasma lipoproteins, and is an
important precursor of many biologically important
substances like bile acids and steroid hormones. It is
FATTY ACIDS
Fatty acids are simply linear chains of C-H bonds that
terminate with carboxyl group.
Have general formula R-(CH2)n-COOH
Fatty acids are variable in length and can be classified
as short-chain, medium-chain, or long-chain fatty acids.
The chain maybe saturated(containing no double bond)
or unsaturated( containing one or more double bond).
Functions of Fatty Acids
1. Source of energy in stored forms

2. Solubilize vitamins like A, D, E, and K.

3. Building units of majority of lipids

4. Constituent of phospholipids
Classification of Fatty Acids
Fatty acids can be classified in many ways:

Saturated Fatty Acid: Contain no double bond, chain is

saturated.
Unsaturated Fatty Acid: Contain one or more double bond
in chain and degree of unsaturation depends on the no of
double bond present in it.
3) Branched Chain Fatty Acids: Contain hydroxyl group in
chain of fatty acid
4) Cyclic Fatty Acid: Posses ring structure e.g.
chaulmoogric acid and hydnocarpic acid
CHOLESTEROL
Most important sterol in human body
Molecular formula C27H45OH
Possesses