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( Lipid)
Lipids are broadly defined as any fat-soluble (lipophilic), naturally-occurring molecule, such as fats, oils, waxes, cholesterol, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, phospholipids, and others. The main biological functions of lipids include energy storage, acting as structural components of cell membranes, and participating as important signaling molecules. Although the term lipid is sometimes used as a synonym for fats, fats are a subgroup of lipids called triglycerides and should not be confused with the term fatty acid. Lipids also encompass molecules such as fatty acids and their derivatives (including tri-, di-, and monoglycerides and phospholipids), as well as other sterol-containing metabolites such as cholesterol. [1] The emulsion test is a crude method for determining the presence or absence of lipids in a given sample. Lipids are a diverse group of compounds that have many key biological functions, such as structural components of cell membranes, energy storage sources and intermediates in signaling pathways. Lipids may be broadly defined as hydrophobic or amphiphilic small molecules that originate entirely or in part from two distinct types of biochemical subunits or "building blocks" ketoacyl and isoprene groups.[2] Using this approach, lipids may be divided into eight categories&_160; fatty acyls, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, saccharolipids and polyketides (derived from condensation of ketoacyl subunits); and sterol lipids and prenol lipids (derived from condensation of isoprene subunits). The glycerophospholipids are the main structural component of biological membranes, such as the cellular plasma membrane and the intracellular membranes of organelles. In animal cells the plasma membrane physically separates the intracellular components from the extracellular environment. All eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized into membrane-bound organelles which carry out different functions. These glycerophospholipids are amphipathic molecules that contain a glycerol core linked to two fatty acid-derived "tails" by ester or, more rarely, ether linkages and to one "head" group by a phosphate ester linkage. While glycerophospholipids are the major component of biological membranes, other non-glyceride lipid components such as sphingomyelin and sterols (mainly cholesterol in animal cell membranes) are also found in biological membranes. In plants and algae, the galactosyldiacylglycerols,[13] and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol,[14] which lack a phosphate group, are important components of membranes of chloroplasts and related organelles and are the most abundant lipids in photosynthetic tissues, including those of higher plants, algae and certain bacteria.
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Lipid Subcategories
Lipid Articles
Use Natural Skin Care Products To Nurse Your Dry Skin Back To Health by Ted Brumby
While healthy skin repairs itself, problems occur when skin becomes dry, so it helps to understand how skin looses its moisture.
Our skin is the most amazing part of our body. From regulating our body temperature to protecting it against vari...
Lipids, Glorious Lipids: Part One by Marie Veronique Nadeau
Most of you know I spend my Sundays from 4-7 talking to people at the Elephant Pharmacy in Berkeley about skin issues. I love doing this because it is the one day out of the week that I actually get to have face time with my many customers, and I ...
Lipids, Glorious Lipids: Learn About the Lipid Barrier and Keeping Your Skin Healthy by Marie Veronique Nadeau
I spend my Sundays from 4-7 talking to people at the Elephant Pharmacy in Berkeley about skin issues. I love doing this because it is the one day out of the week that I actually get to have face time with my many customers, and I am always enriched ...
Manage Crohn's Disease with Natural Remedy by John Goh
Crohn’s disease is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly af...
"New Study, Prevent Heart Disease With Dental Care?" by Farrell Seah
What does the health of your mouth have to do with your overall health? In a word, plenty. A look inside or a swab of saliva can tell your doctor volumes about what's going on inside your body.
Some eating habits can wreak havoc on your...
The Recipe For Reigniting Your Youthful Energy by Farrell Seah
While you can use herbs to enhance your energy and vitality, remember that many health problems, some of them quite serious, can leave you feeling fatigue. If you have the run-down feeling which doesn’t subside in a few weeks and you still fe...
Natural Anti-Aging Formula Against Bacteria And Viruses? by Farrell Seah
Normal aging is accompanied by several physical changes in the body, including decreased muscle mass, increased fat mass, and a decrease in bone density. While the physiological processes behind these changes are very complex and not complet...
What If You Could Improve Your Immune System? by Farrell Seah
An immune deficiency disease can develop when part of the immune system is absent or its function is in some way impaired. This can result from either from a defect in the cells of the immune system, or from an environmental or external agen...
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