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Properties
Properties
Large hydrophobic (don't mix with water) molecules that are important to long-term energy storage among other functions.
Elements
Elements
C H O
Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen
Subunits
Subunits
(can you find all the elements in the diagram at right?)
Lipids are not polymers, so they do not have a monomer, however, they are often made from a glycerol that has one or more fatty acid chains bonded to it.
If the fatty acid chains contain all single bonds between the carbons, it is called a saturated fat. The fatty acid chains will be straight and can compact together easily. These fats will be solid at room temperature.
f the fatty acid chains contain one or more double bonds between the carbons, it is called an unsaturated fat. The fatty acid chains will be bent and can't compact together easily. These fats will be liquid at room temperature.
Types
Types
Fat
Fat
These lipids are used as long-term energy storage and sometimes insulation.
Phospholipids
Phospholipids
These lipids make up our cell membranes. They have a hydrophilic (attracted to water) region and two fatty acid chains that are hydrophobic.
Steroids
Steroids
These lipids have carbon ring structures. They look different from other lipids, but like all lipids they are mostly hydrophobic. Steroids are important chemical messengers, or like cholesterol, are important parts of the cell membrane.
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