Lipids are necessary for living cells to survive. Lipids are long chains of hydrogen atoms linked to carbon atoms. The sorts of bonds that develop between atoms influence their properties. There are many sizes and shapes of lipids, each with different functions. For example, lipids store energy, provide insulation, make cell membranes, protect leaves from the water, and build essential hormones. The primary lipid groups are fats, steroids, and waxes. Therefore one would think, What Do Fats, Steroids, And Waxes Have In Common? Because they are insoluble in water, the many chemicals that make up the lipid family get grouped. They may get dissolved in a variety of organic solvents, including ether and acetone.

We’ll take a closer look at some of the most basic forms of lipids, such as fats, waxes, and steroids, in this section.

Importance of Lipids

Because of the many bonds in lipid molecules, they are an excellent source of stored energy. They utilize the least amount of energy of any biological macromolecule. Being energy-rich, they can produce up to 9 kcal per gram. It is almost twice the energy that is released when carbohydrates or proteins get broken down.

Lipids may frequently bind with other molecules to produce essential biological structures. The plasma membrane of all live cells gets primarily made up of lipids connected to phosphate group lipids.

Fats are utilized to waterproof the integument of arthropods such as insects and the outer epidermis of plants because they resist water. In hot and dry environments, these lipids prevent these organisms from losing moisture. Fats are also necessary for our neurological system to operate correctly. Fatty myelin coating wraps our nerve cells which enables us to function and transfer our impulses quickly.

What are they?

Fats and oils are most likely the lipids you’re most familiar with within your daily life. The word “fat” conjures up a bad image in our thoughts. We get told to avoid fatty meals while we’re on a diet. Our bodies, on the other hand, need fat to operate correctly. Other lipids that are necessary for human survival include steroids and waxes. To know about What Do Fats, Steroids, And Waxes Have In Common? 

We’ll need to look at each one separately to understand what they have in common. We’ve compiled all of the information below.

Structure of Fats 

The backbone of a fat molecule is made up of glycerol, while the tails get usually made up of three fatty acids. A fatty acid comprises a long hydrocarbon chain linked to a carboxyl group, whereas glycerol is a tiny chemical molecule containing three hydroxyls (OH) groups. An ordinary fatty acid has 12–18 carbon atoms. In a dehydration synthesis process, the hydroxyl groups on the glycerol backbone combine with the carboxyl groups of fatty acids to form a fat molecule.

Fats have received a lot of negative press. Consuming too many fried and other “fatty” meals indeed causes weight gain. Fats, on the other hand, are necessary for survival. Fats provide long-term energy storage. They also help to keep the body warm. As a result, “healthy” unsaturated fats should be ingested regularly.

Structure of Steroids

Steroids are lipid molecules that have four fused rings in their structure. Despite their structural variations from other lipids, steroids get classed as lipids that are insoluble in water. In the animal body, they frequently produce hormones and sterol compounds. Steroid molecules get used to make hormones like testosterone and estradiol. This molecule is also a crucial component of cell membranes, and it may get found among the phospholipids in numerous locations where it affects the membrane’s fluidity.

Structure of Waxes

Waxes are long fatty acid chains that bind to an alcohol group and are water-insoluble. For creatures like insects and plants, they act as a waterproofing layer. Because of the waxy outer coating, these creatures survive in dry regions. The amount of water that is lost gets considerably reduced. Many plants can live in dry conditions, and some can even thrive in deserts. The waxy cuticle minimizes excessive water loss in hot, dry conditions.

Unlike most natural waxes, synthetic waxes get made comprised of long-chain hydrocarbons with no functional groups. Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based synthetic wax that gets purified by vacuum distillation.

Polyethene may also be used to make synthetic waxes. These waxes get utilized in adhesives, cosmetics, sealants and lubricants, pesticides, and UV protection, and millions of pounds get manufactured each year. They can also get found in foods such as chewing gum.

Understand What Do Fats, Steroids, And Waxes Have In Common?

Since now we have a basic understanding of the structures of three types of lipids, we can look more into What Do Fats, Steroids, And Waxes Have In Common? To conclude, the essential common in the lipids discussed above is the,

Low Water Solubility

Lipids are nonpolar molecules, meaning they have no charged ends. Lipid and water molecules do not exchange electrons or create any bond. The lipids float on the surface of the water, not mixing in. The old saying “oil and water don’t mix” is undoubtedly familiar to you. Oil, after all, is a liquid lipid.

Takeaway

Water solubility is a problem for 90 % of compounds in the discovery pipeline and around 40 % of medicines on the market. Lipids get added to certain drugs to enhance their delivery. Increased half-life, better absorption, and the capacity to target a specific location of the body with the medication are all advantages of these lipid-based drug carriers.

Advanced delivery technologies provide a workable option. It offers safe and efficient delivering the appropriate therapeutic dose to patients. Steroids are a type of medicine used to treat various illnesses, including cancer, and control hormone treatment.