Lipids

There are several types of lipids:  triglycerides, phospholipids, cartenoids, and cholesterol.

Triglycerides are used for the storage of energy.
They are composed of a glycerol plus three fatty acids.

·Oil and fat are both examples of triglycerides.
 

Phospholipids are found in cell membranes and take the form of a glycerol with fatty acids.
One of the fatty acids is replaced by a Phosphate-containing compound

Cartenoids capture light.

Cholesterol is used to build the steroids, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, and vitamin D_2.  
Cholesterol has a complex ring structure.

·aldosterone is involved in maintaining a balance of salt and water.
·testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol are all useful for sexual development

There are two types of fatty acids:  saturated and unsaturated

·Saturated fatty acids are composed of single bonds and lack "kinks".  They can accumulate in arteries.
·Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds and are "kinked."

An ester is a type of lipid that is formed through dehydration

CH₂-C
|  
O  
|  
O=C       
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