Biomolecules - Lipids

• Lipids - fat-like molecule, the major building block of the animal cells; organic, containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvent
• Fats - the largest category of lipids, go by the terms triglycerides, triacylglycerol, glycerolipids; nutrients the body uses to build cell membranes , nerve tissue and hormones
• Saturated fat - lipids that exists as a solid substance at room temperature
• Unsaturated fats - liquid substances at room temperatures
• Transfat - lipids that has undergone hydrogenation
• Steroids - no fatty acids but considered as lipids
• Cholesterol - steroid that is harmful because it causes heart ailments
• Bile salts - lipids found in intestinal bile
• Sex hormones - such as estrogen and testosterone
• Cortisol - lipids produced in response to stress
• Waxes - fatty acids combined with alcohol molecules; used as lubricants, polishers and ointments; protects the surfaces of some leaves
• Terpenes - do not contain fatty acids but are considered lipids because they are insoluble in organic compounds; come from "isoprene"
• Phosphoglycerides - known as phospholipids; important component of plasma membrane and other biological membranes