1. What are lipids?

Lipids constitute another major class of organic compounds present in

living cells.
Lipids are molecules that contain hydrocarbons and make up the
building blocks of the structure and function of living cells.
Lipids have mainly hydrocarbons in their composition and are highly
reduced forms of carbon. When metabolized, lipids are oxidized to
release large amounts of energy and thus are useful to living
organisims.
They include fats and fatlike molecules.
They are insoluble in water but are soluble in organic solvent such as
benzene, ether, and chloroform.
They serve as the highest energy-giving foods in the body.
They act as insulators by protecting animals form extreme cold.
They occur in many forms: fatty acids, phosphoglycerides, waxes,
terpenes and steroids.

2. What is the difference between saturated fats and unsaturated fats?

Both unsaturated fat and saturated fat are in a variety of foods, studies
have found that these fats are not created equally. Unsaturated fats can
be beneficial to your heart while saturated fats are found in animal
products and processed foods, such as meats, dairy products, chips, and
pastries. The chemical structure of a saturated fat is fully saturated with
hydrogen atoms, and does not contain double bonds between carbon
atoms. Saturated fats are not heart healthy, since they are most known
for raising your LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).
Unsaturated fats, on the other hand, are found in foods such as nuts,
avocados and olives. They are liquid at room temperature and differ from
saturated fats in that their chemical structure contains double bonds.
Additionally, studies have shown that unsaturated fats are also hearthealthy fats they have the ability to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL
cholesterol (good cholesterol).

3. What are major categories of lipids? Describe each and indicate 3 examples.
a. Fatty acids- Fatty acids are acids produced when fats are broken down. They
are considered good fats. These acids are not highly soluble in water, and
they can be used for energy by most types of cells. They may be
monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, or saturated. They are organic, or in
other words, they contain both carbon and hydrogen molecules.

Fatty acids are found in oils and other fats that make up different foods. They
are an important part of a healthy diet, because the body needs them for
several purposes. Fatty acids help move oxygen through the bloodstream to
all parts of the body. They aid cell membrane development, strength, and
function, and they are necessary for strong organs and tissue.
Examples: nuts, butter, margarine
b. Phosphoglycerides- or phospholipids are important components of the plasma
membrane as well as of other biological membranes.
Examples: lecithin, cephalin, cardiolipin
c.

Sphingolipids- found in the brain, lungs, and nerve tissues. A class of lipids
with a polar head group and two nonpolar tails. The core of a sphingolipid is
an amino alcohol called sphingosine.
Example: Glycosphingolipids, Cerebrosides, Sulfatides

d. Waxes- are likewise composed of fatty acids but are combined with a much
longer alcohol molecule.
Examples: ointments, coatings in feathers of birds, fur of some animals
e. Steroids- have fatty acids but are also considered as lipids. Steroids are
cholesterol derived hormones that regulate various physiological functions in
the body.
Examples: cholesterol, bile salt, sex hormone
f.

Triglycerides- are a type of fat found in your blood.

Examples: coconut oil, almond oil, animal fats