2. Introduction
– Heterogenous groups of compounds related to fatty acids.
“Fatty acids are carboxylic acids that typically contains
between 12 and 20 carbon atoms. They have even number
of carbon atoms.”
– Fatty acids may be saturated and unsaturated.
– Insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
– Store energy more than carbohydrates.
4. Waxes
– These are produced by combining fatty acids with long chain
alcohols.
– Example Beeswax
– It is an ester formed by combining palmitic acids
with a 30-carbon alcohol
5. Glycerides
– Fatty acids residues joined to glycerol
by ester bond.
– Most important is triglyceride.
– Functions
Store energy, provide insulation
Production of energy when
metabolized.
– Reactions
Catalytic hydrogenation
saponification
6. Phospholipids
– Contain a hydrophobic fatty acid "tails" and a
hydrophilic "head" consisting of a phosphate
group. The two components are joined
together by a glycerol molecule.
– Classification
Glycerophospholipids
Sphingophospholipids
8. Glycolipids
– Lipids that contain a sugar residue. Sugar may
be monosaccharides, oligosaccharides or
polysaccharides.
– Classification
Glyceroglycolpids
Sphingoglycolipids
10. Functions of lipids
– Stores energy
– Structural component of bio membranes
– Serve as thermal insulators to certain tissues
– Important dietary component due to high value of energy
– Provide shape and contour to the body
– Combination of lipids and proteins(lipoprpteins) are
important constitutes
of membranes and in the mitochondria.
– Serve as transporting lipids in blood
