Structure and Classification of Lipids b.

Nonsaponifiable lipids ( cholesterol,

steroid hormones, bile acids, and
Unlike carbohydrates and most other classes eicosanoids)
of compounds, lipids do not have a common
structural feature that serve as a basis for Saponfiable lipids are converted into two or
defining such compounds. Instead, their more smaller molecules when hydrolysis
characterization is based on solubility occurs. Nonsaponifiable lipids cannot be
characteristics. A lipid is an organic broken up into smaller units since they do
compound found in living organisms that is not react with water.
insoluble (or only sparingly soluble) in water
but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. The most frequently encountered lipid
building block is the structural unit called a
When a biochemical material (human, fatty acid.
animal, or plant tissue) is homogenize din a
blender and mixed with a nonpolar organic Types of Fatty Acids
solvent, the substances that dissolve in the
solvent are lipids. A fatty acid is a normally occurring
monocarboxylic acid. It nearly almost
A hydrolysis reaction that occurs in basic contain an even numbers of carbon atoms
solution is called a saponification. and have a carbon chain that is unbrached.

Two common methods for sub classifying - It is characterized as long-chain fatty

lipids into families for studies. acids (C12 to C26), medium-chain
fatty acids (C8 and C10), short-chain
1. Uses the biochemical function of lipid fatty acids (C4 and C6).
- They are rarely found free in nature
a. Energy-storage lipids but rather occur as part of the
(triacylglycols) structure of more complex lipid
b. Membrane lipids molecules.
(phospholipids, sphingoglycolipids, Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids
and cholesterol)
c. Emulsification lipids A saturated fatty acid (SFAs) Is a fatty acid
(bile acids) with a carbon chain in which all carbon-
d. Messenger lipids carbon bonds are single bonds.
(steroid hormones and eicosanoids)
e. Protective-coating lipids A monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs) is a
(biological waxes) fatty acid with a carbon chain in which
carbon-carbon double bond is present.
2. Based on whether or not a lipid could
be broken down or not A polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) is a
fatty acid with a carbon chain in which two
a. Saponifiable lipids (triacylglycerols, or more carbon-carbon double bonds are
phospholipids, sphingoglycolipids, present.
and biological waxes)
An omega-6 fatty acid is an unsaturated removed from the structural
fatty acid with its endmost double bond components of the triacylglycerol,
three carbon atoms away from its methyl leaving residues of the reacting
end. molecule.
- Triacylglycerol is a lipid formed by
Physical Properties of Lipids esterification of three fatty acids to a
glycerol molecule.
Water solubility- solubility decreases as
carbon chain length increases, Fats and Oils

Melting point- as carbon chain increases, A fat is a triacylglycerol mixture that is solid
melting point increases, is semi-solid at room temperature (25).

- Saturated fatty acids have higher An oil is a triacylglycerol mixture that is liquid
melting points than unsaturated at room temperature (25).
fatty acids with the same number of
carbon atoms. The greater the Dietary Considerations and Triacylglycerol
degree of unsaturation, the greater
the reduction in melting point. Research have shown that, in general,
- The decreasing melting point nations whose citizens have high dietary
associated with increasing degree of intakes of triacylglycerol (fats and oils) tend
unsaturation to have higher incidences od heart disease
and certain types of cancers.
ENERGY- STORAGE LIPIDS: Triacylglycerol
“Good fats” Vs “Bad fats”
- The most widespread energy-storage - A dietary fat can either be fat or oil
material within cells is the - People must limit fat intake to 30% of
carbohydrate glycerol total calories with up to 15% coming
- Unlike carbohydrates, lipids rather from monounsaturated fat, up to
than widespread, triacylglycerol are 10% from polyunsaturated fat, and
concentrated primarily in specials less that 10% from saturated fat.
cells (adipocytes) that are nearly - Saturated fats are bad fats
filled with the material - Monounsaturated fats are good fats
- These energy-storage lipids are the - Polyunsaturated can be good or bad
most abundant type of lipid present fats
in the human body.
- Triesters: three esters functional Essential Fatty Acids
group are present - Is a fatty acid needed in the human
- Triacylglycerol do not actually body that must be obtained from
contain glycerol and three fatty acids. dietary sources because it cannot be
They actually contain a glycerol synthesized by the body
residue and three fatty acid residues. - Two essential fatty acids: linoleic
In the formation of triacylglycerol, acid and linolenic acid.
three molecules of water have been
 - Linoleic acid and linolenic acid are Phospholipids are the most abundant type of
essential for (1) proper membrane membrane lipids. It contains one or more
structure and (2) starting material for fatty acids and a phosphate group, a
the production of several platform molecule where a fatty acid(s) and
biochemically important longer- the phosphate group are attached, and
chain omega-6 and omega-3 acids. alcohol that is attached to the phosphate
group.
Linoleic acid is the starting material for the
biosynthesis of arachidonic acid. Arachidonic Glycerophospholipids
acid is the starting material for eicosanoids, - Is a lipid that contains two fatty acids
substances essential to help regulate blood and a phosphate group esterified to
pressure, clotting, and several other a glycerol molecule and an alcohol
important body functions. esterified to the phosphate group.
- Contains phosphatidylcholines
Linolenic acid is that starting material for the (lecithins),
biosynthesis of two additional omeage-3 phosphatidylethanolamines
fatty acids: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and (cephalins), and phosphatidylserines
DHA (docosahexanoic acid) which are (cephalins).
important constituents of the
communication membranes of the brain and Sphingophospolipid
are necessary for normal brain - It is a lipid that contains one fatty acid
development. EPA and DHA are also active in and one phosphate group attached
the retina of the eye. to a sphingosine molecule and
alcohol attached to the phosphate
TRANS FATTY ACID CONTENT OF FOOD group.

- Studies show that fats containing Membrane lipids: Cholesterol

fatty acids with trans-double bond - It is the third ood the three major
(commonly reffered as to as trans types of membrane lipids.
fats) affect blood cholesterol in a - Cholesterol is a steroid.
negative manner, similar, but not - Is C27 steroid molecule that is a
identical to that of saturated fat. component of cell membranes and a
- Trans fat raised bad (LDL) precursor for other steroid-based
cholesterol, but It does not raise lipids.
good (HDL) cholesterol,
- Trans fat constitue about 15%-20% of A steroid is a lipid whose structure is based
dietary TFA intake. The remaining on a fused-ring system that involves three 6-
80%-85% of TFAs dietary intake membered rings and one 5-membered ring.
comes primarily from commercially
produced foods prepared using Lipoprotein is the combination of
partially hydrogenated cooking oils. cholesterol and protein.

Membrane Lipids: Phospholipids Lipoproteins that carry cholesterol from the

liver to various tissues are called LDL (low-
density lipoproteins), and those that carry Bile is a fluid containing emulsifying agents
excess cholesterol from tissues back to the that is secreted by the liver, stored in the
liver is called HDL (high-density gallbladder, and released into the small
lipoproteins). intestine during digestion.

A cell membrane is a lipid-based structure Messenger Lipids: Steroid hormones

that separates environment confined by a
cell’s aqueous-based interior from the A hormone is a biochemical substance,
aqueous environment surrounding the cell. produced by a ductless gland, that has a
messenger function.
A lipid bilayer is a two-layer-thick structure
of phospholipids and glycolipids in which the A steroid hormone is hormone that is a
non-polar tails of the lipids are in the middle cholesterol derivative.
of the structure and the polar heads are on - There are two major classes of
the outside surfaces of the structure. steroid hormones (1) sex hormones
(reproduction and secondary sex
Ø The percentage of lipid and protein characteristics) and (2)
components in a cell membrane is adrenocorticoid hormones (regulate
related to the function of the cell. biochemical processes)
The lipid to protein ratio ranges from Sex hormones:
about 80% lipid / 20% protein by 1. Estrogens- female sex hormone
mass in the myelin sheath of nerve - Synthesized in the ovaries and
cells to the unique 20% lipid / 80% adrenal corrtex
protein ratio for the inner - responsible for the development of
mitochondrial membrane. female secondary sex… stimuale the
Ø Red blood cells membranes contain development of mammary gland
approximately equal amount of lipids 2. Androgens- male sex hormone
and protein - Synthesized in the etstes and adrenal
Ø A typical membrane has a cortex
carbohydrate content that varies 3. Progestins- pregnancy hormone
between 2% and 10% by mass.

Emulsification of Lipids: Bile Acids OKI ARI KO KUTOB HAHAHA

An emulsifier is a substance that can

dispense and stabilize water-insoluble
substances as colloidal particle in an
aqueous solution.
- Cholesterol derivatives called bile
acids function as emulsifying agents
that facilitate the absorption of
dietary lipids in the intestine.