Introduction And Classification

Question 1

What is a lipid

Answer 1

Lipids are organic compounds formed mainly from alcohol and fatty acids combined together by ester linkage

Question 2

What are all the biological importance of lipids

Answer 2

1) They are very much storable when compared to carbohydrates
2) they have a high energy value and provide more energy per gram than carbohydrates and proteins
3) They supply the essential fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by our body
4) supply the body with fat soluble vitamins ( A,D,E and K)
5) They form various membranes
6) They are important part of the nervous system
7) they act as shock absorber and protect the internal organs

Question 3

Who proposed the classification of lipids

Answer 3

Bloor (1943)

Question 4

How are lipids classified into

Answer 4

1) Simple Lipids or Homolipids

a) Fats and oils : They are esters of fatty acids with a trihydroxy alcohol, glycerol
b) Waxes : These are esters of fatty acids with high molecular weight monohydroxy alcohols

2) Compound Lipids or Heterolipids
These are esters of fatty acids along with alcohal and contain additional functional groups such as sulphur, phosphorus, amino group, carbohydrates or protein besides fatty acids and alcohal
a) Phospholipids
b) Glycolipids
c) Lipoproteins
d) Sulpholipids and amino lipids

3) Derived Lipids : These are substance derived from simple and compound lipids by hydrolysis.
It includes steroids, terpenes, carotenoids mono and diglycerides