Why do we need lipids?

Answer 1

Lipids are essential to your health because they support a number of your body’s functions. Lipids enable the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K to be absorbed from food and regulate cholesterol metabolism. Lipids are made up of several fatty acids (containing long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms), bonded to a glycerol. They are typically triglycerides, which have three fatty acids attached to one glycerol.

Lipids have the highest caloric value of any nutrient. One gram of lipids provides 9.3 k. cal. of energy. Lipids are insoluble in water. They are stored in your body as reserve food, which you can use when you need it. Lipids form an insulating layer that helps maintain body temperature. The myelin sheaths around your nerves contain lipids that prevents the passage of nerve impulses to adjacent nerve fibers. Lipids are also structural components of your cells, and their presence is required for certain enzymes and hormones.

Answer 2

Lipids as molecules in living cells have several essential functions. They store energy and are also important structural components of cell membranes. They are also involved in signaling within and between cells.

Answer 3

They have plenty various functions. First of all, they are building blocks of membranes of the cells; moreover, they participate in important signaling pathways which are spatially located near membranes. Also, they are part of some hormones, which are necessary for body maintenance. Furthermore, lipids are very important storage of energy, thermal isolation and so on.

Answer 4

All cellular components have three functions: they supply i) structure, ii) function, and iii) control.

Lipids - structure: they combine to form the Cell Membrane; infoldings of this yield a) smooth endoplasmic reticulum, b) the Golgi apparatus, c) the rough endoplasmic reticulum and d) the nuclear envelope.

Lipids - function: easily fed, one -CH2 at a time into Kreb's [furnace] Citric Acid Cycle.

Lipids - as control factors: they act as feedback loop elements that control the production of related bio-compounds.

Answer 5

In broad terms, the main biological function of lipids in humans include energy storage, structural components of the plasma membrane of cells, and protein signaling.

Lipids allow for excess energy that is intaken in the body to be stored for later use, such as when food becomes scarce. This prevents the body from shutting down from malnutrition, as the body is able to prolong its survival by using the energy that was stored away by lipids.

As a component of a cell's plasma membrane (cell membrane), lipids form a bilayer of phospholipids. The hydrophobic nature of lipids minimizes the cell's contact with water, and prevents swelling.

Answer 6

Lipids help the body absorb certain vitamins

Answer 7

Lipids are also known as fats. They play a vital role in the body by providing energy, helping in digestion and producing hormones.

Answer 8

Lipids are the most common enery-storing molecules.

They are also used for building membranes and other cell parts, and as chemical signalling molecules.

Answer 9

lipids are important for your body because they help absorb certain vitamins