Lipids
The Lipids are a broad collection of molecules found in living tissue which do not have a common structural characteristic, but are soluble in nonpolar solvents. They can be small or large molecules but only contain very simple functional groups - and as they are composed mainly of carbon and hydrogen, are readily dissolved by hydrocarbon solvents.
The compounds include fatty acids, fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, glycolipids, steroids and some vitamins.
Fats and Waxes
Fats and waxes are the simplest of the lipids. They are esters of long, straight-chain acids (fatty acids). They are distinguished by the alcohol precursors for the ester groups. Fats are derived from the triol glycerol, and are refered to as triglycerides. Waxes are derived from long, straight-chain alcohols.
