Structure and Function of Lipids
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All fats are lipids but not all lipids are fats. Here we will be discussing about a few types of lipids, their structure and functions.
Triglycerides
A triglyceride molecule is comprised of one molecule of glycerol and 3 molecules of fatty acids (saturated or unsaturated). This lipid is found as droplets in cytoplasm of cell. As all lipids, this is also non polar and non soluble. That is why triglycerides float in the cytoplasm of cell (as they are less dense than water). If the triglycerides solidify at 20ºC, then they are termed as fats. The main use of triglycerides in body is energy storage.
Steroids
Steroids are constituted of carbon molecules and have a four fused ring structure. They do not contain fatty acids. Examples of steroids are estrogen, vitamin D2, testosterone and cholesterol. They play an important role in constituting the plasma membrane structure, influencing its permeability.
Phospholipids
Phospholipids are complex lipids containing hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water attracted) structured molecules. They majorly constitute the cell membranes.
Glycolipids
Glycolipids are primarily responsible for cell-to-cell recognition and in enhancing the immune system of the body.
Lipoproteins
A combination of lipids and proteins that is found in the the membranes of cell is known as lipoprotein. The best examples of lipoproteins in our body are enzymes, antigens and structural proteins. Lipoproteins in our body are of two kinds: HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) and LDL(Low Density
Waxes
Waxes contain fatty acids combined with long chain of alcohols. These lipids are found on leaves of plants, inside ears of human and on feathers of animals.
Cholesterol, a kind of lipoprotein which is found in our body is also made of lipids. Even cholesterol is differentiated as HDL and LDL. Both these proteins at desirable levels indicate a healthy body (which is ideally 200mg for 1 deci liter of blood). However, high levels of HDL can pose high cholesterol risks and cardiovascular diseases. So it is always advisable to keep a check on cholesterol levels by going for tests once in 3-5 years. Hope this article, on lipids function was informative.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Doctor's Free Presentation on How to Naturally and Safely Reverse Heart Disease and Lower Cholesterol. Visit http://HealthTipsThatWork.com/Cholesterol
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Doctor's Free Presentation on How to Naturally and Safely Reverse Heart Disease and Lower Cholesterol. Click Here or Visit http://HealthTipsThatWork.com/Cholesterol
All fats are lipids but not all lipids are fats. Here we will be discussing about a few types of lipids, their structure and functions.
Triglycerides
A triglyceride molecule is comprised of one molecule of glycerol and 3 molecules of fatty acids (saturated or unsaturated). This lipid is found as droplets in cytoplasm of cell. As all lipids, this is also non polar and non soluble. That is why triglycerides float in the cytoplasm of cell (as they are less dense than water). If the triglycerides solidify at 20ºC, then they are termed as fats. The main use of triglycerides in body is energy storage.
Steroids
Steroids are constituted of carbon molecules and have a four fused ring structure. They do not contain fatty acids. Examples of steroids are estrogen, vitamin D2, testosterone and cholesterol. They play an important role in constituting the plasma membrane structure, influencing its permeability.
Phospholipids
Phospholipids are complex lipids containing hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water attracted) structured molecules. They majorly constitute the cell membranes.
Glycolipids
Glycolipids are primarily responsible for cell-to-cell recognition and in enhancing the immune system of the body.
Lipoproteins
A combination of lipids and proteins that is found in the the membranes of cell is known as lipoprotein. The best examples of lipoproteins in our body are enzymes, antigens and structural proteins. Lipoproteins in our body are of two kinds: HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) and LDL(Low Density
Waxes
Waxes contain fatty acids combined with long chain of alcohols. These lipids are found on leaves of plants, inside ears of human and on feathers of animals.
Cholesterol, a kind of lipoprotein which is found in our body is also made of lipids. Even cholesterol is differentiated as HDL and LDL. Both these proteins at desirable levels indicate a healthy body (which is ideally 200mg for 1 deci liter of blood). However, high levels of HDL can pose high cholesterol risks and cardiovascular diseases. So it is always advisable to keep a check on cholesterol levels by going for tests once in 3-5 years. Hope this article, on lipids function was informative.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Doctor's Free Presentation on How to Naturally and Safely Reverse Heart Disease and Lower Cholesterol. Visit http://HealthTipsThatWork.com/Cholesterol