<h2>Summary of lessons so far</h2>
<p>Lipids are a class of <a data-lesson="introducing-biological-macromolecules" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="biological-macromolecules" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/biological-macromolecules/introducing-biological-macromolecules">macromolecules</a> that are nonpolar and hydrophobic in nature. In general, major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids. Fats are a stored form of energy and are also known as triacylglycerols or triglycerides. Fats are made up of <a data-lesson="lipids-2" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="biology-foundations" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/biology-foundations/lipids-2">fatty acids</a> and either glycerol or sphingosine.</p>
<p>Fatty acids may be unsaturated or saturated, depending on the presence or absence of double <a data-lesson="hydrogen-bonds-and-van-der-waals-interactions" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="chemical-foundation-of-life" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/chemical-foundation-of-life/hydrogen-bonds-and-van-der-waals-interactions">bonds</a> in the <a data-lesson="summarizing-carbon-molecules" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="chemical-foundation-of-life" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/chemical-foundation-of-life/summarizing-carbon-molecules">hydrocarbon</a> chain. If only single bonds are present, they are known as saturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids may have one or more double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain.</p>
<p>Phospholipids make up the matrix of membranes. They have a glycerol or sphingosine backbone to which two fatty acid chains and a phosphate-containing group are attached.</p>
<p>Steroids are another class of lipids. Their basic structure has four fused carbon rings. Cholesterol is a type of steroid and is an important constituent of the plasma membrane, where it helps to maintain the fluid nature of the membrane. It is also the precursor of <a data-lesson="lipid-derived-hormones-or-lipid-soluble-hormones" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="endocrine-system" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/endocrine-system/lipid-derived-hormones-or-lipid-soluble-hormones">steroid hormones</a> such as testosterone.</p>
<h2>Glossary of Words</h2>
<h3>Lipid</h3>
<p>macromolecule that is nonpolar and insoluble in water</p>
<h3>Omega fat</h3>
<p>type of polyunsaturated fat that is required by the body; the numbering of the carbon omega starts from the methyl end or the end that is farthest from the carboxylic end</p>
<h3>Phospholipid</h3>
<p>major constituent of the plasma membranes; composed of two fatty acids and a phosphate-containing group attached to a glycerol backbone</p>
<h3>Saturated fatty acid</h3>
<p>long-chain of hydrocarbon with single covalent bonds in the carbon chain; the number of hydrogen <a data-lesson="chemical-reactions-molecules" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="chemical-foundation-of-life" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/chemical-foundation-of-life/chemical-reactions-molecules">atoms</a> attached to the carbon <a data-lesson="support-systems-in-animals" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="animal-systems-intro" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/animal-systems-intro/support-systems-in-animals">skeleton</a> is maximized</p>
<h3>Steroid</h3>
<p>type of lipid composed of four fused hydrocarbon <a data-lesson="secondary-growth" data-subject="biology" data-tutorial="plant-systems-intro" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/biology/plant-systems-intro/secondary-growth">rings</a> forming a planar structure</p>
<h3>Trans fat</h3>
<p>fat formed artificially by hydrogenating oils, leading to a different arrangement of double bond(s) than those found in naturally occurring lipids</p>
<h3>Triacylglycerol (also, triglyceride)</h3>
<p>fat molecule; consists of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule</p>
<h3>Unsaturated fatty acid</h3>
<p>long-chain hydrocarbon that has one or more double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain</p>
<h3>Wax</h3>
<p>lipid made of a long-chain fatty acid that is esterified to a long-chain alcohol; serves as a protective coating on some feathers, aquatic mammal fur, and leaves</p>

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Summarizing Lipids

Biology studies life and living organisms. Biology can be divided into different sections that cover the morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, and so on of living organisms.

Biology

Discover the different types and functions of biological macromolecules including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, and explore their structures and synthesis through lessons on hydrolysis, disaccharides, protein structures, and DNA double-helix.


Summarizing Lipids

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