Lipids
Lipids are molecules that contain hydrocarbons and make up the building blocks of the structure and function of living cells.
Example wax, certain vitamin such as vitamin A,D,E and K.
- Lipids are not soluble in water.
- They are non polar.
- But are soluble in non polar solvents such as chloroform.
Lipids are classified as:
- Simple Lipids
- Common Lipids
- Derived Lipids
Simple lipids :-
These are esters of fatty acid with glycerol.
For example common fats and oils.
Common Lipids :-
This contain radical in addition to fatty acid and alcohol include glycerol , phospho lipids , sphingo lipids , Lipo proteins and poly saccharides.
Derived Lipids :-
They are the hydrolytic product of above Mention compound steroids, Vitamin D and terpenes belong to the class of lipids.
Important of Lipids
- They are good source of energy and more the food .
- They exert an insulating effect on the nervous tissue.
- They are energy reservoirs in the body.
- Lipids are integral part of cell Protoplasm and cell membrane.
- Some lipids act as precursor of very important physiological compounds. For example cholesterol is the precursor of steroids hormones.
Aldosterone
A hormone produce by the outer protein (cortex) of the adrenal gland. Aldostrone regulates the balance of water and electrolytes in the body encouraging the kidney of excrete potassium into the urine and retain sodium thereby retaining water.
Ergosterol
It is the sterol of fungi and yeast . When irradiated with ultraviolet rays. It is converted into ergosterol or vitamin D .
Steroids
Steroids is one of the different types of chemical substance that are produced in the body. It is a drug that increasing the development of your muscles, sometimes taking illegally by people taken part in sport competitions.
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