Question

describe different types of lipids add a note on their role

Answer 1

Lipids can be categorized into three main types.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are lipids you obtain from food sources of fat, such as cooking oils, butter and animal fat. Triglycerides provide insulation that keeps you warm while protecting your internal organs with a layer of padding. They also play a role how your body uses vitamins. When you don't burn all the calories you consume, they're converted to triglycerides and stored for future use. If you regularly eat more calories than you burn or eat too much food rich in fats, your triglyceride level could become too high and pose a health risk.

Steroids

Steroids are a type of lipid that includes hormones and cholesterol. Cholesterol is produced by the body and consumed through food, and it plays a role in the production of hormones. Hormones include the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone, as well as your other hormones like adrenaline, cortisol and progesterone. Cholesterol, the most abundant steroid lipid in the body, is required in every cell in the body. It plays a role in cell repair and the formation of new cells. However, too much cholesterol is a bad thing. When it combines with other compounds in your blood, it can build up as plaque in your arteries, blocking blood flow to and from the heart. Having a high cholesterol level increases your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Phospholipids

Phospholipids are derivatives of triglycerides. They're very similar to them but slightly different on a molecular level. Half of each molecule is water-soluble and the other is not, which causes them to react differently than triglycerides. Located on cell membranes, they form double-layered membranes with the water-soluble molecules on the outside of the cell membrane and the water-insoluble molecules in the inside. These lipids are responsible for protecting and insulating cells.