lipid
Sign in to savethumb|Structures of some common lipids. At the top are cholesterol and [[oleic acid. The middle structure is a triglyceride composed of oleoyl, stearoyl, and palmitoyl chains attached to a glycerol backbone. At the bottom is the common phospholipid phosphatidylcholine.]]
AI overview
Lipids are a diverse group of fatty substances found in living things, including cholesterol, fatty acids, triglycerides (which store energy), and phospholipids (which form cell membranes). They matter because they serve essential functions like providing energy to your body and forming the structural components that hold your cells together.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
23 sectionsContents
- History
- Categories
- Fatty acyls
- Glycerolipids
- Glycerophospholipids
- Sphingolipids
- Sterols
- Prenols
- Saccharolipids
- Polyketides
- Biological functions
- Component of biological membranes
- Energy storage
- Signaling
- Other functions
- Metabolism
- Biosynthesis
- Degradation
- Nutrition and health
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
- External links
thumb|Structures of some common lipids. At the top are cholesterol and [[oleic acid. The middle structure is a triglyceride composed of oleoyl, stearoyl, and palmitoyl chains attached to a glycerol backbone. At the bottom is the common phospholipid phosphatidylcholine.]]
Lipids are a broad group of organic compounds that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, phospholipids, and others. The functions of lipids include storing energy, signaling, and acting as structural components of cell membranes. Lipids have applications in the cosmetic and food industries, and in nanotechnology.