Details of Lipids

Lipids

a group of organic compounds (C,H,O) that are generally insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They include fats, oils, waxes, and other related substances.

• nonpolar, mostly made of C-H bonds

• two types of lipids

Fats

Made of fatty acids and glycerol backbones. Used to store long term energy, insulate the body, synthesizes hormones, and ensures the proper function of cell membranes.

• two types of fats

Saturated Fats

a type of lipid (fat) where the fatty acid chains are composed of only single bonds between carbon atoms, making them "saturated" with hydrogen.

• no C-C double bonds

• more hydrogen

• straight hydrocarbon chain; packed together

• solid fats found in animals

Unsaturated Fats

fatty acids with one or more double bonds between carbon atoms in their hydrocarbon chain.

• Has C=C double donds

• less hydrogen

• bends hydrocarbon chains

• liquid fats made of plants

Phospholipids

Phospholipids are a type of lipid (fat) molecule that are the primary components of cell membranes. They consist of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head, a phosphate group, and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails, fatty acids. This structure allows them to form lipid bilayers, which create a barrier that separates the inside of a cell from its external environment called the phospholipid bilayer.