What are the functions of lipids in the body?

Many different types of molecules in the body such as fats, waxes and soluble fats, fall into the category of "lipids". Energy storage is the most common of many lipid functions, although they can also provide cellular structure or act as signaling molecules. Other important but less common lipid functions in the body include activation of enzyme, molecular transport and metabolism. People must consume lipids as part of their diet for the nutrients they contain, and because some fats are required to store vitamins in fats. They are also important because lipid double -layers are used to alleviate what is able to enter the cell and what not. When the body needs stored energy, hormonal signals begin the biochemical process that breaks down to a usable form. Lipids are also valuable for energy storage because they can be stored with very little water. On the other hand, carbohydrates bind to water, which would result in a significantly higher weight ratio to energy,If carbohydrates were used as a primary means of storage.

maintaining cellular structure and alleviating trans-membrane transport is another of the important function of lipids. The cell membrane, consisting mainly of lipids, is used to separate the inner part of the cell from everything that exists outside. The membrane consists of lipids that have both hydrophobic or avoidance to water, and hydrophilic or seeking water that are organized into a lipid double -layer. Hydrophilic ends point to the environment filled with water inside and outside the cells, while the hydrophobic ends remain between the interior and the outer layers. This arrangement arises as a result of hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of lipids, so that cell membranes are largely self -organized.

energy storage and cell membrane formation are the two most important lipid functions in the body, but there are other functions. Lipids are assumed to play an important roleIn cellular signaling, which is a process that initiates or stopped various biochemical processes. Many fat -soluble vitamins, which are lipids, also serve important physical functions such as maintaining vision, promoting bone growth and maintaining healthy immune function. Some lipid molecules are also used to transport other molecules across cell membranes.