TASK 9: Self Reflection on Lipids

There are 5  types of lipids which are fatty acids, triacylglycerols, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and isoprenoids. Lipids can also be classified into two different polar which are non-polar lipids and polar lipids.

Fatty acids

l  pack tightly and form more rigid

l  organized aggregates

l  naturally occurring double bonds have the cis configuration

Triacylglycerols/triacylglycerides

• animals fats contain a high percentage of saturated fatty acids residue
• act as energy storage - fat content of normal humans allows them to survive starvation for 2 to 3 months
• insulation
• saponification - formation of soaps

Glycerolphospholipids

• major lipid component of biological membranes
• non-polar aliphatic tails and polar phosphoryl-X heads
• can be degraded at various point, depends on enzymes used
• enzymes called; phospholipase

Sphingolipids

• derivatives of C18 amino alcohol sphingosine
• N-acyl acid derivatives of sphingolipids are known as ceramides
• eg: sphingomyelins and cerebrosides and gangliosides
• sphingomyelins - myelin that surrounds and insulates nerve cells
• cerebrosides - consists of single sugar
• gangliosides - act as receptors for pituitary glycoprotein hormone that regulate physiological functions

Steroids

• cholesterol are the most common steroids in animals
• salt balance
• metabolic
• sexual functions