LIPIDS

Lipids

Hydrophobic, nonpolar molecules that are soluble in nonpolar solvents and insoluble in polar solvents like water.

Energy-storage lipids

Triacylglycerols that store energy in the body.

Protective-coating lipids

Biological waxes that provide a protective layer.

Membrane lipids

Include phospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol, essential for cell membranes.

Emulsification lipids

Bile acids that help in the digestion of lipids.

Messenger lipids

Steroid hormones and eicosanoids that act as signaling molecules.

Saponifiable lipids

Lipids that can be hydrolyzed into smaller molecules (e.g., triacylglycerols).

Nonsaponifiable lipids

Lipids that cannot be hydrolyzed into smaller units (e.g., cholesterol).

Fatty acids

Naturally occurring monocarboxylic acids with a carboxylic acid group and a long hydrocarbon tail.

Saturated fatty acids

Fatty acids without double bonds, fully saturated with hydrogen.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Fatty acids containing one or more double bonds, classified as mono- or polyunsaturated.

Cis configuration

A double bond arrangement where substituents are on the same side, causing a bend in the chain.

Trans configuration

A double bond arrangement where substituents are on opposite sides, resulting in a straighter chain.

Omega-x

A notation indicating the position of the first double bond in a fatty acid chain.

Triacylglycerols

Fats and oils formed from glycerol and fatty acids, used for energy storage.

Simple triacylglycerols

Triacylglycerols with three identical fatty acid chains.

Mixed triacylglycerols

Triacylglycerols with two or three different fatty acids.

Hydrogenation

A process that adds hydrogen to unsaturated fats, converting them to semi-solid fats.

Hydrolysis

The reaction that splits triacylglycerols into glycerol and fatty acids in the presence of water.

Soaps

Salts of fatty acids formed through saponification, with hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts.

Biological waxes

Esters of saturated fatty acids and long-chain alcohols, providing waterproof coatings.

Phospholipids

Major components of biological membranes, consisting of glycerol, fatty acids, and phosphate.

Glycolipids

Lipids with sugar moieties, found in cell membranes and involved in cell recognition.

Fluid mosaic model

Describes the structure of cell membranes as a flexible layer of lipids with embedded proteins.

Lipoproteins

Water-soluble complexes that transport lipids in the bloodstream.

Cholesterol

A steroid that is essential for cell membranes but can lead to health issues when levels are high.

Steroid hormones

Hormones synthesized from cholesterol that regulate various physiological processes.

Eicosanoids

Signaling molecules derived from fatty acids, involved in inflammation and other biological functions.

Bile acids

Cholesterol derivatives that emulsify lipids in the digestive tract, aiding in digestion.