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A lipid is any of various organic compounds that are insoluble in water. They include fats, waxes, oils, hormones, and certain components of and function as energy-storage molecules and chemical messengers. Together with proteins carbohydrates, lipids are one of the principal structural components of living .
The three principal classes of lipids that form the bilayer matrix of biological membranes are glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and sterols (principally cholesterol). The most important characteristic of molecules in the first two groups is their amphipathic structure—well separated hydrophilic (polar) and hydrophobic (nonpolar) regions.
Fatty acid, important component of lipids in plants, animals, and microorganisms. Generally, a fatty acid consists of a straight chain of an even number of carbon atoms, with hydrogen atoms along the length of the chain and at one end of the chain and a carboxyl group (—COOH) at the other end.
Phospholipid, any member of a large class of fatlike, phosphorus-containing substances that play important structural and metabolic roles in living cells. The phospholipids, with the sphingolipids, the glycolipids, and the lipoproteins, are called complex lipids, as distinguished from the simple.
Membrane lipids are principally of two types, phospholipids and sterols (generally cholesterol). Both types share the defining characteristic of lipids—they dissolve readily in organic solvents—but in addition they both have a region that is attracted to and soluble in water.
Lipid - Saturated Fatty Acids: The simplest fatty acids are unbranched, linear chains of CH2 groups linked by carbon-carbon single bonds with one terminal carboxylic acid group. The term saturated indicates that the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms are bonded to each carbon in the molecule.
Biomolecule, any of numerous substances that are produced by cells and living organisms. Biomolecules have a wide range of sizes and structures and perform a vast array of functions. The four major types of biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
Steroid, any of a class of natural or synthetic organic compounds characterized by a molecular structure of 17 carbon atoms arranged around four rings. Steroids are important in biology, chemistry, and medicine. Learn more about the nomenclature, synthesis, and biological significance of steroids.
A lipid is any of various organic compounds that are insoluble in water. They include fats, waxes, oils, hormones, and certain components of and function as energy-storage molecules and chemical messengers. Together with proteins carbohydrates, lipids are one of the principal structural components of living.
Triglycerides are esters in which three molecules of one or more different fatty acids are linked to the alcohol glycerol; they are named according to the fatty acid components; e.g., tristearin contains three molecules of stearic acid, and oleodistearin, one of oleic acid and two of stearic acid.