LIPIDS a large and heterogeneous group of substances of biological origin that are easily dissolved in organic solvents such as methanol, acetone, chloroform, and benzene, They are either insoluble or only poorly soluble in water. FUNCTIONS OF LIPIDS * The storage form of energy (triglycerides) * Structural components of biomembranes (cell membrane) + Metabolic regulators * They act as surfactants, detergents, and emulsifying agents * They act as electric insulators in neurons + Provide insulation against changes in external temperature * Give shape and contour to the body * Protect internal organs + Help in absorption of fat-soluble vitamins CLASSIFICATION OF LIPIDS Simple Lipids = Fatty Acids + Alcohol 2.Compound Lipids = Fatty Acids + Alcohol + Addt'l group 3. Derived Lipids = Hydrolysis of Simple/Compound Lipids a.Fatty Acids b.Steroids c.Eicosanoids d.Ketone Bodies 4,Miscellaneous Lipids - possess characteristics of lipids a.Squalene b.Carotenoids FATTY ACIDS Four major biological roles 1. They are used to make glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids that are essential components of biological membranes 2. Numerous proteins are covalently modified by fatty acids 3. Fatty acids act as fuel molecules, being stored as triacylglycerols, and broken down to generate energy 4, Derivatives of fatty acids serve as hormones (such as the prostaglandins) and intracellular second messengersFATTY ACIDS Structure ‘A fatty acid consists of a hydrocarbon chain and a terminal carboxylic acid group. Most fatty acids found in biology have an even number of carbon atoms arranged in an unbranched chain. Chain length usually ranges from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, with the most common fatty acids containing 16 or 18 carbon atoms. A saturated fatty acid has all of the carbon atoms in its chain saturated with hydrogen atoms. This gives the general formula CH3(CH2)nCOOH, where n is an even number. Monounsaturated fatty acids have one double bond in their structure, while polyunsaturated fatty acids have two or more double bonds. The double bonds in polyunsaturated fatty acids are separated by at least one methylene group. FATTY ACIDS CLASSIFICATION 1L Essential Fatty Acids - fatty acids that cannot be prepared by the body and are obtained from the diet. Our body Is not capable to synthesize them. a.Linoleic Acids b.Linolenic Acids c.Arachidonic Acid 2.Non-essentlal Fatty Acids - fatty acids that can be synthesized by the body and are not required from the diet. a.Palmitic Acid b.Stearic Acid and others Table 1. The names and formulae of some common fatty acids Fatty acid Formula No. of double bonds No. of carbon atoms Palmitate CH,CH,),,COO None 16 Stearate CHJCH),.COO None 18 Oleate CH,CH,),CH=CH(CH),COO 1 18 Linoleate CH,CH,),(CH=CHCH,),(CH,,COO 2 18 Linolenate CH,CH.(CH=CHCH,),(CH).COO 3 18 ‘Arachidonate _CH,(CH,}CH=CHCH,),(CH),COO 4 20FATTY ACIDS BREAKDOWN Fatty acid breakdown (also called f-oxidation) brings about the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids with the production of energy in the form of ATP. The fatty acids are converted into their acyl CoA derivatives and then metabolized by the removal of two-carbon acetyl CoA units from the end of the acyl chain The inner mitochondrial membrane is not permeable to long-chain acyl CoA derivatives and so these are transported into the mitochondria as carnitine derivatives by carnitine/acyl carnitine translocase. KETONE BODIES When in excess, acetyl CoA produced from the B-oxidation of fatty acids is converted into acetoacetate and D-3- hydroxybutyrate. Together with acetone, these compounds are collectively termed ketone bodies. Acetoacetate and D-3-hydroxybutyrate are produced in the liver and provide an alternative supply of fuel for the brain under starvation conditions or in diabetes. TRIACYLGLYCEROLS Triacylglycerols (fats or triglycerides) consist of three fatty acid chains esterified to a glycerol backbone. Simple triacylglycerols have three identical fatty acids, mixed triacylglycerols have two or three different fatty acids. Triacylglycerols are the major energy storage and the major dietary lipid in humans. They are insoluble in water and are stored in specialized adipose (fat) cells. CHOLESTEROL Cholesterol is a component of cell membranes and is the precursor of steroid hormones and the bile salts, 5 Classes of steroid hormones: 1.Progestagens 2.Androgen 3.Estrogen 4.Glucocorticoids 5.MineralocorticoidsCHOLESTEROL Vitamin D is derived via cholesterol in a series of reactions, one of which requires the action of UV light to break the bond between two carbon atoms. Deficiency of vitamin D causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. ‘ation Prepares uterine tring or egg implantation; maintenance of pregnancy Androgens Tests Testosterone Development of male secondary sex characteristics Estrogens Ovary Estrone Development of female secondary sex charactenstics Gucccortcoids Adrenal cortex Catia! Promotes gluconeogenesis and glycogen formation; ‘enhances fat and protein degradation Mineraloconicoids Adrenal cortex. Aldosterone Increases reabsorption of Na’ and excretion ofK ‘and H by kidney tubules