Sikta RoyKnowledge Contributor
Discuss the chemical structure, properties, and biological functions of lipids in living organisms.
Discuss the chemical structure, properties, and biological functions of lipids in living organisms.
Lipids are a diverse group of organic molecules characterized by their insolubility in water and solubility in organic solvents. They include fats, oils, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes. Structurally, lipids consist of hydrocarbon chains or rings with varying degrees of saturation and functional groups. In living organisms, lipids serve essential biological functions such as energy storage, insulation, membrane structure, and signaling. Fatty acids, the building blocks of lipids, can be saturated or unsaturated, influencing the physical properties and biological activities of lipids. Additionally, lipids play crucial roles in the absorption and transport of fat-soluble vitamins, hormone synthesis, and cell signaling pathways.