Uses
Lipids can have many uses. Some of them are:
Lipids can store energy. They store energy because they can be fats and fats are another form of energy.
They are part of biological membranes. Lipids may make up 20-80% of a membrane depending on where it may be in the body. Another sort of lipid is cholesterol and it helps to stiffen the membrane.
Sometimes they can be used as waterproof coverings. Think of your hand. There are lipids in your hand and all over your body where there is skin. When water touches your skin it does not soak into it but rather beads up and runs off. This is due to the lipids creating a barrier between your skin and the water.
Some lipids are used as chemical messengers. Another way of saying this is that they can be signaling molecules.
Lipids can store energy. They store energy because they can be fats and fats are another form of energy.
They are part of biological membranes. Lipids may make up 20-80% of a membrane depending on where it may be in the body. Another sort of lipid is cholesterol and it helps to stiffen the membrane.
Sometimes they can be used as waterproof coverings. Think of your hand. There are lipids in your hand and all over your body where there is skin. When water touches your skin it does not soak into it but rather beads up and runs off. This is due to the lipids creating a barrier between your skin and the water.
Some lipids are used as chemical messengers. Another way of saying this is that they can be signaling molecules.