Lipids

Lipids

What are lipids made from?

• Lipids are made from a variety of different components, but they all contain hydrocarbons. 
• There are three types of lipids you need to know about.

Triglycerides:

• 1 molecule of Glycerol and three fatty acids
• The fatty acids are joined to the glycerol molecule by an ester bond. 
• Fatty acid molecules have long hydrocarbon tails (hydrophobic) and glycerol heads (hydrophyllic).
• The tails are hydrophoic and this makes them insoluble in water.

Functions-

• Energy storage- Tails contain lots of chemical energy (Twice as much as carbohydrates)
• Insoluble- Water does not enter cell by osmosis, the bundle together with the tails facing inwards and the heads on the outside. 

Fatty Acids:

• Same structure - Different tails
• …