Lipid Chemistry Overview

Fatty acids with no double bonds between carbon atoms, typically solid at room temperature.

Saturated fatty acids with 2-10 carbon atoms, often liquid at room temperature.

Saturated fatty acids with more than 10 carbon atoms, generally solid at room temperature.

Fatty acids with one double bond between carbon atoms, usually liquid at room temperature.

Fatty acids with two or more double bonds between carbon atoms, and are vital for health as they cannot be made by the body.

An essential fatty acid (PUFA) with 18 carbons and two double bonds, crucial for many bodily functions and important for the body.

Fatty acids that the body cannot produce therefore must be consumed in the diet.

A sphingosine molecule attached to a fatty acid.

A sphingolipid containing a phosphate group and choline.

Lipids with carbohydrate residues attached.

A glycolipid containing one galactose molecule attached to a ceramide.

A complex glycolipid containing multiple sugars and sialic acid.

A type of glycerophospholipid with an ether-linked unsaturated alcohol (fatty aldehyde) in position 1.

An amino alcohol that is a major component of sphingolipids.

A long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end.

Organic molecules relatively insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents like chloroform, ether, and benzene.

Lipids composed of fatty acids and alcohols, e.g., neutral fats (triglycerides) and waxes.

A simple lipid composed of glycerol and three fatty acids, the storage form of lipids in the body.

A carboxylic acid with a long hydrocarbon chain.

A three-carbon alcohol; a key component of triglycerides.

The bond formed between a fatty acid and an alcohol during esterification of lipids.

A type of neutral fat (triglyceride).

A glycerol molecule with one fatty acid attached.

A glycerol molecule with two fatty acids attached.

Cephalins are similar to lecithins, but instead of choline, they have ethanolamine.

Phosphatidylinositols are like lecithins or cephalins, but use inositol as the base, also incorporating glycerol, fatty acids, phosphoric acid.

Cardiolipin is made from two phosphatidic acid molecules linked through glycerol. A critical component of the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Sphingomyelins are major brain/nerve lipids. Contain sphingosine instead of glycerol, and choline. Sphingosine amide bonds to fatty acid.

Ceramide is part of sphingomyelin. The fatty acid is attached to sphingosine via amide linkage.

Major components of cell membranes and subcellular organelles, crucial for lipoprotein transport and secretion, and crucial for lung surfactant.

The temperature at which a fatty acid changes state from solid to liquid.

Amphipathic molecules with a hydrophilic (polar) head and a hydrophobic (non-polar) tail, enabling them to form membranes.

Molecules with both a hydrophilic (water-loving) and a hydrophobic (water-fearing) portion.

A type of phospholipid derived from phosphatidic acids, including Lecithins and Cephalins.

Triglycerides that have three identical fatty acids connected to glycerol.

Simplest type of glycerophospholipid, serving as a precursor to other more complex ones.

Triglycerides that have three different fatty acids connected to glycerol.

Solid triacylglycerols, containing high amounts of saturated fatty acids.

Glycerophospholipids crucial for lung surfactant and nerve transmission.

Liquid triacylglycerols, containing high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids.

Glycerophospholipids involved in various cellular processes.

A phospholipid mixture, crucial for preventing lung collapse, especially in premature infants.

The addition of hydrogen to unsaturated fatty acids, often used to turn vegetable oils into solid fats (like margarine).

Molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, regulating diverse bodily functions, including inflammation and immunity.

The alkaline hydrolysis of a fat, producing glycerol and salts of fatty acids (soap).

A change in the properties of fat leading to unpleasant odor, taste, or color, usually due to exposure to oxygen, light, or moisture.

Substances that prevent fatty liver, often phospholipids.