Lipids and Fats
Many times, we are stopped from eating junk food because they contain something called bad fats or bad cholesterol. Have you ever heard of these? And if lipids and fats are mentioned together, then what is the difference between the two? If yes, then Vedantu has brought answers for you.
To lead a healthy lifestyle, we tend to eat foods with less fat. In reality, fats are just an essential part of the diet that makes up for a very important nutrient in the body to maintain good health. Lipids, on the other hand, are organic compounds that form the framework of the structure and function of the living cells. Fats play a vital role in metabolic and chemical functions in the body but they are different from lipids in chemical and physical aspects.
Difference Between Lipids and Fats in Tabulated Form
Lipids
Lipids are nonpolar organic compounds that are soluble in non-polar solvents and insoluble in water. They are a wide group of macromolecules that form the structural and functional framework of the living cells. Lipids are synthesized in the liver and are often sourced from whole milk, butter, oils, fried food, and found in some red meats. Lipids constitute the cell membrane which is an important biological barrier that protects the inner cell from the outer surroundings. They are polymers of fatty acids with a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and a small polar oxygen group.
Types of Lipids
Lipids are classified as triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.
Triglycerides: They are the largest group of lipids, also known as natural fats. They can be either unsaturated or saturated thus, they can be either liquid or solid at room temperature respectively.
Phospholipids: They contain a phosphoric acid residue in addition to the fatty acid and alcohol groups. They form the outermost layer of cells in humans and animals.
Steroids: They are present as hormones and carbohydrates in the body and are hydrophobic molecules.
Butter, vegetable oil, cheese, cholesterol, and other steroids, waxes, phospholipids, fat-soluble vitamins, etc are some examples of lipids.
Fats
Fats are types of lipids present in the body in adipose tissues, found under the skin and surrounding the organs in the body. They are oily substances with a high saturation rate. Due to high saturation, they are solids only unlike lipids which can be solids or liquids. They are essential for the proper functioning of the body and are obtained from our daily diet. They play a major role in controlling inflammation, blood coagulation and brain development in humans and many animals. They are energy reserves of the body. Also, they help the body to absorb and transport a few vitamins through the bloodstream.
Types of Fats
Fats are classified as saturated fats, trans fats, and unsaturated fats.
Saturated Fats: They increase good cholesterol levels in the body and are hence good for health. But in excess, they can negatively increase cholesterol. 10% of daily calories from saturated fat is considered a healthy diet. They are solid at room temperature therefore, they are also known as solid fats. They are usually found in milk, cheese, poultry, tropical oils, etc.
Unsaturated Fats: They are found in all processed food and naturally in beef, lamb, milk, cheese, cream, butter, etc. They are liquid at room temperature. Monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fats are their further types.
Monounsaturated Fats: They are found in nuts and vegetable oils. Their consumption can reduce bad cholesterol.
Polyunsaturated Fats: They are mainly found in vegetable oils. They can also lower bad cholesterol if consumed as an alternative to saturated fat.
Trans Fats: They are produced on the Hydrogenations of unsaturated fats. They can increase cholesterol thus, should be consumed within the limit. They are found in processed food, snacks, etc.
Conclusion
Completing the topic of Difference Between Lipids and Fats has equipped you with all the needed content for answering questions that may be asked in the exams. This topic is also essential for biochemistry as well. Questions from this section have appeared in NEET and JEE exams as well. Vedantu gives significance to this topic therefore, it has provided you with this write-up.
You can refer to Vedantu’s website for enriching your learning experience of Biology further.
FAQs on Difference Between Lipids and Fats
1. What is the best way to write an answer to the question of “Difference Between Lipids and Fats” in the Class 11 Biology exam?
There are various ways to write an answer to the question of the Difference Between Lipids and Fats. The type of answer expected from you in the exam depends on the number of marks allotted to the question. If the question is asked for 2 or 3 marks you can answer the question in a tabulated manner by drawing two columns listing the points of differences accordingly. If the question is asked for say 4 marks then you need to add more points, draw their structural formulae and you can also mention their types respectively.
2. How are lipids defined in “Difference Between Lipids and Fats”?
Lipids in Difference Between Lipids and Fats are defined as the organic compounds containing hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms. All these three form its basic structural framework. They are non-polar molecules that are soluble in non-polar solvent but insoluble in an organic solvent like water. They consist of fats, waxes, oils, hormones, and other components of membranes. In the human body, molecules of lipids that are synthesized in the liver naturally, are consumed by us in the form of various food products like milk, cheese, oily foods, etc.
3. What types of fats are discussed in “Difference Between Lipids and Fats”?
Four types of fats are discussed in Difference Between Lipids and Fats. This includes saturated fats, unsaturated fat, trans fat, and total fat. Unsaturated fats are further classified into Monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated fat contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Total fat consists of other types of fats such as saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fat. You can read about Fats in detail on Vedantu's website. This forms part of the free study materials provided by Vedantu. These materials are prepared by Vedantu’s subject matter experts.
4. Is “Difference Between Lipids and Fats” relevant for biology or chemistry?
Students studying in Class 12 very often tend to be confused about whether the Difference Between Lipids and Fats forms part of the Class 12 Chemistry syllabus or the Biology syllabus. This topic is relevant for both subjects. While studying this topic in Biology, the focus is on how fats are lipids that form a part of the human body and how it is processed by the human body. Whereas, when studying this topic in Chemistry, the focus is more on their chemical composition and structure. You need to change your learning orientation accordingly. Try to answer the questions as per the subject and question demands.
5. What exactly are lipids and fats discussed in Difference Between Lipids and Fats?
In Difference Between Lipids and Fats, lipids have been defined as organic molecules which are insoluble in organic solvent and are composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon atoms. Further, the classification of lipids has been provided by Vedantu on its website. To explain fats, their definition and types have been included. Fats have been defined as a sub-category of lipids that are found in the human body in adipose tissues, found under the skin, and surrounding the organs in the body.
6. What is the difference between lipids and fatty acids?
Lipids are a broader class of molecules and fatty acids are a part of it. Fatty acids are either saturated or unsaturated. Saturated fatty acids do not contain carbon-carbon double bonds but unsaturated fatty acids do. Fatty acids are generally long chains of hydrocarbons with a carboxylic acid group at one of the ends. While Lipids are polymers of fatty acids with a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and a small polar oxygen group.
7. What are lipids and their types?
Lipids are nonpolar organic compounds that are soluble in non-polar solvents and insoluble in water. They are a wide group of macromolecules that forms the structural and functional framework of the living cells. Lipids are synthesized in the liver and are often sourced from whole milk, butter, oils, fried food, and found in some red meats. Lipids from the cell membrane which is an important biological barrier that protects the inner cell from the outer surroundings. They are polymers of fatty acids with a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and a small polar oxygen group. Different types of lipids are steroids, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
8. What are fats and their types?
Fats are types of lipids present in the body in adipose tissues, found under the skin, and surrounding the organs in the body. They are oily substances with a high saturation rate. Due to high saturation, they are solids only unlike lipids which can be solids or liquids. essential for the proper functioning of the body and are obtained from our daily diet. They play a major role in controlling inflammation, blood coagulation, and brain development in humans and many animals. They are energy reserves of the body. also, help the body to absorb and transport a few vitamins through the bloodstream. Saturated and unsaturated are the two types of fats.
