Lipids - Biomolecules

Lipids

The term lipid is derived from greek word lipos, meaning fat. These substances are not soluble in polar solvent such as water but dissolve in non-polar solvents such as benzene, ether, chloroform. This is because they contain long hydrocarbon chains that are non-polar and thus hydrophobic. The main groups of compounds classified as lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids and waxes.

1. Triglycerides

Triglycerides are composed of single molecule of glycerol bound to 3 fatty acids. These include fats and oils. Fatty acids are long chain hydrocarbons with a carboxyl group at one end which binds to one of the hydroxyl groups of glycerol, thus forming an ester bond. Fatty acids are structural unit of lipids and are carboxylic acid of long chain hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon can vary in length from 4 – 24 carbons and the fat may be saturated or unsaturated. In saturated fatty acids the hydrocarbon chain is single bonded (Eg. palmitic acid, stearic acid) and in unsaturated fatty acids (Eg. Oleic acid, linoleic acid) the hydrocarbon chain is double bonded (one/two/three). In general solid fats are saturated and oils are unsaturated, in which most are globules.

2. Membrane Lipids

A class of lipids that serves as major structural component of cell membrane is phospholipids. These contain only 2 fatty acids attached to the glycerol, while the third glycerol binding site holds a phosphate group. This phosphate group is in turn bonded to an alcohol. These lipids have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. The structure of lipid bilayer helps the membrane in function such as selective permeability and fluid nature (Figure 8.15).

3. Steroids

These are complex compounds commonly found in cell membrane and animal hormones. Eg. Cholesterol which reinforces the structure of the cell membrane in animal cells and in an unusual group of cell wall deficient bacteria – Mycoplasma.

4. Waxes

These are esters formed between a long chain alcohol and saturated fatty acids.

Lecithin is a food additive and dietery supplement Fur, feathers, fruits, leaves, skin and insect exoskeleton are naturally waterproofed with a coating of wax (Figure 8.16 and 8.17).