Kinds Of Lipids
Explore the kinds of lipids. Lipids are the groups of the biological molecules which share particularly two distinct attributes. These characteristics are that the lipids are not soluble in the water and are rich in terms of the energy quotient due to the presence of a large number of bonds of the carbon-hydrogen. The lipids perform a number of functions in the body of an organism. There are various kinds of lipids present in an organism.
This article is penned down to make the readers aware with the different kinds of the lipids which are witnessed in the body of an organism. Read through to gain the vital understanding:
1. Phospholipids
These kinds of lipids comprise of two chains of fatty acids, particularly the glycerol group and the phosphate group. The tails of these kinds of lipids are hydrophobic and thus, are not soluble in water; where as the heads of these lipids are hydrophilic and thus soluble in water. This striking attribute of the phospholipids makes them the ideal prime molecule for the cellular membrane.
2. Fat acyl
Fat acyl is one of the kinds of lipids, to which the fatty acids belong to. These lipids are considered as the building blocks for the formation of more complex lipids. The fatty acids play a crucial role in the physical as well as metabolic activities.
3. Sterols
These kinds of lipids are also hydrophobic. These lipids like their counterparts are also formed with the help of the four fused rings of the carbon. There is the presence of the different kinds of sterols within this category which varies in accordance with the chemical groups which are attached with the rings of carbon. These lipids form a significant part in the formation of the cell membranes and also in the form of hormones.
The cholesterol is the most commonly known form of the sterols, which aids in the maintenance of the right fluidity in the membranes of the cells.
4. Complex lipids
These kinds of lipids are usually found in the cellular membranes, which are responsible for controlling the transportation of the materials and often change its form so as to enable the processes such as fusion and fission. These lipids have an inherent love for water and are thus, hydrophilic.
5. Polyketides
These kinds of lipids are made by polymerizing the propionyl and acetyl with the aid from enzymes. These enzymes are used for forming a large number of the secondary metabolites and the naturally made products from the plants, animals, fungal and bacterial sources.
6. Triacylglycerols
These kinds of lipids are stored primarily in the form of the long chain of the fatty acids, which aids in the process of providing energy as well as structure for the formation of the cells. These lipids are usually found in the blood tests. Usually most of the oils as well as the natural fats comprise of these kinds of lipids.
This insight about the various kinds of lipids must have provided the readers to gain an edge in terms of the various varieties of the lipids present in the body, which provide functioning in terms of the storage of energy.