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Chemistry LibreTexts

Applications of Lipids

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Fats and lipids are important because they serve as energy source, as well as a storage for energy in the form of fat cells. They also have a major cellular function as structural components in cell membranes. These membranes in association with carbohydrates and proteins regulate the flow of water, ions, and other molecules into and out of the cells. Hormone steroids and prostaglandins are chemical messengers between body tissues. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are lipid soluble and regulate critical biological processes; other lipids add in vitamin absorption and transportation. Lipids act as a shock absorber to protect vital organs and insulate the body from temperature extremes.

  • Lipid Bilayer Membranes
    Every cell is enclosed by a membrane which gives structure to the cell and allows for the passage of nutrients and wastes into and out of the cell. The purpose of the bilayer membrane is to separate the cell contents from the outside environment. The outside of the cell is mostly water and the inside of the cell is mostly water. The cell membrane may be coated with other molecules such as carbohydrates and proteins, which serve as receptor sites for other messenger molecules.

Thumbnail: This fluid lipid bilayer cross section is made up entirely of phosphatidylcholine. (Public Domain; Bensaccount).

Contributors

  • Charles Ophardt, Professor Emeritus, Elmhurst College; Virtual Chembook


Applications of Lipids is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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