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Lipids definitions

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  • Sterol
    Hydrophobic molecule with a fused ring structure, crucial for membrane integrity and hormone function.
  • Cholesterol
    Primary sterol in humans, essential for membrane structure and precursor to steroid hormones.
  • Ergosterol
    Main sterol in fungi, structurally similar to cholesterol but unique to fungal membranes.
  • Membrane Fluidity
    Property influenced by fatty acid composition, affecting membrane adaptability to temperature changes.
  • Unsaturated Fatty Acid
    Lipid component with one or more double bonds, lowering melting point and increasing membrane fluidity.
  • Sphingolipid
    Class of lipids containing sphingosine, differing from glycerol-based lipids and found in cell membranes.
  • Sphingosine
    Amino alcohol backbone in sphingolipids, replacing glycerol and contributing to membrane structure.
  • Glycerophospholipid
    Phospholipid with glycerol backbone, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group, key in membrane formation.
  • Cardiolipin
    Unique glycerophospholipid found in mitochondrial and bacterial membranes, vital for energy metabolism.
  • Fatty Acid
    Hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain, can be saturated or unsaturated, fundamental to lipid structure.
  • Arachidonic Acid
    Polyunsaturated fatty acid serving as precursor to prostaglandins, important in cellular signaling.
  • Prostaglandin
    Eicosanoid derived from arachidonic acid, involved in signaling pathways and physiological responses.
  • Phosphatidylethanolamine
    Phospholipid that slightly decreases membrane fluidity, present in biological membranes.
  • Phosphatidylcholine
    Phospholipid that increases membrane fluidity, commonly found in cell membranes.
  • Dodecanoic Acid
    Saturated fatty acid with 12 carbon atoms, used in naming conventions for lipid structures.