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Describe the role of lipids in living organisms Lipids can be defined as 'a group of substances that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.'(1) The proportion of oxygen in lipids is less than in carbohydrates. Lipids are non polar and therefore they are insoluble in polar solvents such as water. Lipids are however soluble in non polar solvents such as alcohols and ethers. The chemistry of lipids are also very varied but they are all esters of fatty acids (can be saturated or unsaturated) and an alcohol. Lipids are a large and varied group of organic compounds. They have an intensive role in biological systems. They can be classified as: * Fats and oil (Triglycerides) * Phospholipids * Steroids * Waxes * Fatty acids (The nature of the fatty acid determines the characteristic of any particular fat.) All triglycerides molecules are formed when a molecule of glycerol condenses and combines with three fatty acid...

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