Lipids

Lipids

4.4

Lipids

	Consists of elements: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The ratio of element hydrogen is much higher compared to carbohydrates.

Fats and oils

Triglycerides (3 fatty acids and 1 glycerol).
Each molecule of the fatty acid consists of a long hydrocarbon chain.
Fatty acids can be either saturated (single bond carbon atoms) or unsaturated (one or more double bond between carbon atoms).
Example of saturated fats: red meat, animal fats and butter.
Example of unsaturated fats: vegetable oils, olive oil and soybean oil.

Waxes

	Long-chained molecules. Waterproof. Found on the cuticle of leaves and in the sebum.

Phospholipids

Main components of the plasma membrane.
Controls the permeability of the plasma membrane.
Consists of a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.

Steroids

Raw material to synthesis vitamin, cholesterol and sex hormones.