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Biological Functions of Lipids

Francis Ariel Ramos & Julie Ann Watanabe What are Lipids?
lipids are a group of molecules that includes pretty much all fat and oil soluble naturally occurring molecules Lipids are biomolecules that are soluble in organic solvents and insoluble water The word lipid comes from the Greek word lipos, meaning fat. In our report, 4 types of lipids were mentioned with regards to their biological functions, it includes:

Fats
Compounds composed of glycerol and fatty acids are fats. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature.

Biological Functions: Layers of subcutaneous fat under the skin help in insulation and protection from cold. Blubber is a thick layer of fatty tissue that is located between the muscles and the skin of marine mammals and others as well (e.g. polar bears, whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins etc.). It serves as a source of energy for these animals during lean periods, and it also insulates them from extreme cold. Provides a source of concentrated energy (especially useful when food is scarce). Additional info: There are two types of fat - saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats do not have double bonds and are solids at room temperature. Whereas, unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds and are liquids at room temperature. Butter, ghee, etc. are saturated fats and oils are unsaturated fats. High intake of saturated fats increases blood cholesterol level that can lead to coronary disorders and high blood pressure. Thus people who have a sedentary lifestyle such as old people should reduce the intake of saturated fats. However people involved in heavy labour, fat intake should be more, as their energy requirement is high.

Phospholipids
These are lipids that contain phosphorus in the form of phosphate. These are glycerol molecules that have been esterified with two fatty acids and a polar phosphate group.

Biological Functions: A phospholipid appears to have two tails and a head. The hydrocarbon tails are non-polar .The phosphate 'heads are polar. This leads to what is called a dipole with a polar end and a non-polar end. Helps control the movement of materials in and out of the cells because of the structure stated earlier. They make up the structure of cell membranes

Steroids
Lipids composed of four linked rings of carbon atoms Steroids are a family of lipid molecules that includes cholesterol, steroid hormones, and bile salts Some of the hormones are steroids, not all.

Biological functions: In humans, steroids are secreted by the ovaries and testes, the adrenal cortex, and the placenta. the male sex hormone testosterone and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone . Hormones are chemical messengers released by a gland and carried by the blood. Hormones are responsible for the changes that the human body undergoes during puberty. Hormones switches on the reproductive system Additional Info: Steroids are a class of lipid hormones synthesized from cholesterol. They regulate metabolism, immune response, reproduction and other essential biological processes. Subdivided into five classes according to their primary site of production, steroids have wide-ranging effects on a variety of tissues. GLUCOCORTICOIDS are also synthesized in the adrenal cortex and promote kidney function. However, they are most well-known for their anti-inflammatory effects. Cortisol is commonly used to treat a variety of allergic and autoimmune conditions including poison ivy, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and transplant rejection, they act by depressing immune function on the molecular, cellular and tissue levels.

The testes are the major site of ANDROGEN production, which control male reproductive development. During puberty, testosterone stimulates growth and development of the testes themselves, as well

as that of vertebrae and long bones, which fuels the growth spurt, the larynx and vocal chords, which lowers the voice, glands in the skin, which causes acne, and hair on the face, chest and pubic region ESTROGENS are produced by the ovaries and prepare a woman to conceive, carry and raise a child. During puberty, estrogen stimulates growth hormone secretion, female reproductive organ and breast development, fat deposition on hips and thighs, changes in bone structure such as widening hips and increases in bone density. PROGESTAGENS such as progesterone are sythesized in the corpus luteum. While progesterone also prepares the body for successful pregnancy by stimulating uterine development and breast growth, it is most essential in maintaining the pregnancy.

Waxes
Compounds composed of fatty acids and certain alcohols. These molecules are completely water-insoluble and generally solid at biological temperatures.

Biological Functions: Waxes, found primarily in the cuticle of vascular plants, prevent uncontrolled water loss (e.g. Taro Leaves) Waterproofing effect on the feathers of birds (especially waterbirds like ducks) Earwax traps foreign objects before they reach your sensitive eardrum. Additional Info: Wax in birds The uropygial gland secretes an oil (preen oil) through the dorsal surface of the skin via a grease nipple-like nub or papilla The oil contains a complex and variable mixture of substances formed greatly of aliphatic monoester waxes, formed of fatty acids and monohydroxy wax-alcohols. However, some types of diester waxes called uropygiols and containing hydroxyfatty acids and/or alkane-diols exist in the secretions of the uropygial gland of some groups of birds. A bird will typically transfer preen oil to its body during preening by rubbing its beak and head against the gland opening and then rubbing the accumulated oil on the feathers of the body and wings, and on the skin of the feet and legs.

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