Self-reflection on different types of lipid and their functions in their daily life (Task 9)

            Hi everyone, again in this reflection I would like to talk about different types of lipids and their functions in their daily life. Lipids are biomolecules that are insoluble in water while soluble in organic solvents. Lipids are essential to living organisms which has some important functions. The functions are lipids containing hydrocarbon side chains serve as energy stores, forms a bilayer and act as intra and intercellular signalling molecules. Example of food rich in lipids is butter, nuts, dark chocolate, eggs and cheese. Lipids are classified into several groups such as fatty acids, triacylglycerols, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and isoprenoids. Firstly, fatty acids have saturated fatty acids which the chains pack tightly and form organized membranes and unsaturated fatty acids which the chains bend and pack in lack of ordered way. Fatty acids act as oxygen transport throughout the body where providing energy. Example of fatty acids is laurate (saturated) and oleate (unsaturated).  Next, triacylglycerol can be found in our adipose tissue, where our body stores fats and regulating temperature. It forms when 1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids. Saturated triacylglycerol is known as fats (solid at room temperature) while unsaturated known as oils (liquid at room temperature). Glycerophospholipid formed when 1 glycerol + 2 fatty acids + 1 phosphoric acid are reacted. The component of glycerophospholipids is the hydrophilic head (water-loving) and hydrophobic tail (water-repelling). It plays a role in maintaining the structure of cell membrane by forming lipid bilayer. This phospholipid bilayer acts as a barrier to separate the inside and outside cell environment. This prevents organelle from entering and leaving the cells uncontrollably. Moreover, sphingolipids are major membrane components found in animals and plants membrane. Example of sphingolipids is sphingomyelins (found in animal membranes), cerebrosides (found in myelin sheet) and ganglosides (found in neurone). Sphingolipids protect the cell surface against the harmfull environment by forming a chemically resistant outer surface of the plasma membrane. Isoprenoids can be classified as steroids, vitamins and terpenes. Steroids help control metabolism, immune system and also involved in the reproductive system. Vitamins help to heal wounds and convert food into energy. Terpenes res found in plants which protect the plants from insects and herbivores animals. Terpenes in plants also attract pollinators. Examples are limonene (apples) and linalool (lavender). In a nutshell, lipids are an important source of energy in order to maintain specific processes in our body and to gain energy to continue our daily routine.