Lipids

The term LIPIDS includes many different types of molecule usually containing derivatives of fatty acids.

The two most common groups are

• Triglycerides - (fats and oils) and

• Phospholipids - both are made from Fatty acids and glycerol

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids have a long spine of CARBON atoms attached to HYDROGEN atoms. At one end is a CARBOXYLIC ACID group (-COOH).

If there are no double bonds between the C atoms the fatty acid is said to be SATURATED (with Hydrogen atoms) but if their are one or more double bonds the fatty acid is UNSATURATED as there will be fewer H atoms.

One double bond will create a MONOUNSATURATED FATTY ACID, multiple double bonds will create a POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACID.

Glycerol

Glycerol is an alcohol with three -OH groups - this allows it to bond to three fatty acids by condensation reactions.