Lipids t
Organic compounds referred to as lipids exhibit a wide array of characteristics owing to their aversion to water, making them a distinctive group. They perform numerous indispensable functions within the realm of living organisms and can be sorted into several varieties, including:
Fatty Acids: Lipids frequently encompass fatty acids, which are extended chains of hydrocarbons terminated by a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one extremity. The general framework of a fatty acid can be portrayed as:
R-COOH
With "R" signifying the tail composed of hydrocarbons.
Triglycerides: A prevalent classification of lipids is triglycerides, formed from glycerol and three fatty acid units. These entities act as reservoirs for energy.
Phospholipids: An essential element of cellular barriers, phospholipids are unique in having a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (water-repellent) tail.
Steroids: A notable example is cholesterol, a vital component that impacts cellular barrier structure and functions as a precursor to various hormones.
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