Lipids are important components of cell membranes that help absorb fat-soluble vitamins and maintain membrane fluidity. They act as thermal insulators and regulate cellular metabolism. Lipids also aid in hormone synthesis and provide organ padding. Fatty acids are the basic units of fat and can be either saturated or unsaturated. Saturated fatty acids lack double bonds and are considered harmful as they increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds and are divided into mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

1. Why lipids are important-Why lipids are important-
Lipids are important to the body because;-
1) Important constituent of the cell membranes.
2) Helps in the absorption of fat soluble
vitamins.
3) Maintains membrane fluidity.
4) Acts as a thermal insulator and cellular
metabolic regulator.
5) Hormone synthesis.
6) Organ padding.
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2. Major lipids of physiological significance;-Major lipids of physiological significance;-
 Fatty acidsFatty acids ;-;- basic units of fat composed of chains ofbasic units of fat composed of chains of
carbon atoms with an acid group at one end and hydrogencarbon atoms with an acid group at one end and hydrogen
atoms attached all along their length.atoms attached all along their length.
 Present as either esterified or unesterified form in fats and oils.Present as either esterified or unesterified form in fats and oils.

3. Classification of fatty acids;-Classification of fatty acids;-
Fatty acids
Saturated FA Unsaturated FA

4. Saturated fatty acids;-Saturated fatty acids;-
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Saturated fatty contains no double bonds (having no points ofSaturated fatty contains no double bonds (having no points of
unsaturationunsaturation).).
Saturated fats- considered as harmful. It increases totalSaturated fats- considered as harmful. It increases total
cholesterol level and TGs level.cholesterol level and TGs level.
Hypercholestrolemic SFAs are-Myristic acid & Lauric acid.Hypercholestrolemic SFAs are-Myristic acid & Lauric acid.

5. Unsaturated fatty acids;-Unsaturated fatty acids;-
Unsaturated fatty acid: a fatty acid with one or more points of
unsaturation. Unsaturated fats are found in foods from both plant
and animal sources. Unsaturated fatty acids are further divided
into monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

6. Unsaturated fatty acids;-Unsaturated fatty acids;-
Unsaturated fatty acid: a fatty acid with one or more points of
unsaturation. Unsaturated fats are found in foods from both plant
and animal sources. Unsaturated fatty acids are further divided
into monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.