TASK 8: Self-Reflection on Lipid

Students should give self-reflection on different types of lipids and their functions in their daily life.

LIPIDS

Lipids are known as molecules that contain hydrocarbons and make up of living blocks of structure and functions of a living cells. Examples of lipids are like fats, oils, waxes vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E, and K as well as hormones and majority of the cell membrane that is not made up from proteins.

l Lipids are not soluble in water (non polar) but soluble in non polar solvents such as chloroform.

l In fats cells, lipids are in the form of triglyceride, where an ester is formed from glycerol and three fatty acids.

l Lipids also an excellent form of energy storage when hydrogen is metabolized to produce large amount of energy.

MAIN TYPES OF LIPIDS

l Triglycerides

-can make up more than 95% of lipids in diet.

-also commonly called as fats and oils.

-can be found in  foods including avocado, olives and corn.

l Phospholipids

-water soluble and can be found in both plants and animals.

-crucial for building protective barrier or membrane of the body cells.

-form a structure which fats is enclosed and transported throughout the bloodstream.

l Sterols

-least common types of lipids.

-examples of sterols is cholesterol, an important component of cell membrane and is required for synthesis of sex hormones, vitamin B and bile salts.

 

FUNCTION OF LIPIDS

1. Acts as a energy storage

-fats are packed together tightly without water and thus can store much more energy in a limited space compared to the bulky glycogen that contain a great water content.

2. Acts as an insulator and protection for the body.

-fats acts as a layer of protection as it prevents friction in certain areas like hands which is often come in contact with hard surfaces.

-gives extra padding required when our body involved in vigorous activity like snowboarding or horseback riding.

3. Acts as a high energy source

-food with high-fats are the convenient source of energy due to presence of high caloric density.

-children usually requires a proper amount of fats as it can help in their growth and their development of their bodies.

-those who have physically demanding jobs like athletes also requires the fats as other energy source when the body has used up all of the calories obtained from carbohydrates.