Lipids

Structure

Function

In Your Diet

Uses in Science and Life

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Back Lipids- Structure and Function

- Lipids are made of two types of components: Fatty Acids and a Phosphate group.

* Saturated- fatty acid tails are straight and are stored more compactly (bad for you)

* Unsaturated- fatty acid tails are “kinked” so they are stored less compactly (better for you)

TYPES OF LIPIDS

~ Triglycerides- 3 fatty acids, one phosphate that make up most fats and oils

~ Phospholipids- 2 water-resistant (nonpolar) tails and one water-soluble head (polar) used in cell membranes

Saturated

Unsaturated

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~ Hormones- fatty rings used to send messages to thebody. Some examples: Cholesterol, Cortisone, Testosterone.

Functional Groups in Lipids• Lipids do not use functional

groups as much as the other macromolecules, but functional groups are still needed to form fats, oils, and phospholipids. These are made by the joining of three parts and the joining, of course, requires the use of functional groups. Fats and oils are made by three fatty acids, and phospholipids are made by two fatty acids and a phosphate.

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Lipids, or fats, are sometimes thought of as dangerous and unhealthy for a person’s body. That is true, only when a person abuses foods that contain lipids, by over eating. Lipids can be found in such healthy foods as dairy products and meats. They also can be found in such unhealthy foods as sweets, potato chips, and numerous varieties of fried foods.

Lipids are actually good for the body when they a consumed responsibility. When lipids are eaten, they help build body fat that is used in many different ways such as cushioning for internal organs.

BackThe Scientific uses of

LIPIDS

-A common known lipid is a steroid, which include vitamin

D and several important hormones.

Some Hormones:

~Insulin (regulates blood sugar)

~Testosterone/ Estrogen (male/female sex hormones)

~Cortisone (used in medicine as a pain killer and skin-rebuilder)

-Lipids are also sometimes found in the arteries of many humans. They are the result of an unhealthy diet. Lipids line the walls of the arteries, making blood flow difficult through them.

-Much research is being done to further expand the knowledge of the disorders of the heart and circulatory system, as they are related to lipids.

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