Difference Between Lipids and Fats (With Table)

Lipids are organic macromolecules that are water-insoluble yet soluble in organic solvents. These are classified into three types: phospholipids, triglycerides, and steroids. Triglycerides are the most common kind of lipid. These are also referred to as natural fats. Phospholipids are triglyceride derivatives that include two fatty acid molecules. Steroids are hydrophobic substances found in the body as cholesterol and hormones.

Fats are oily substances that are found beneath the skin or around organs. Lipids are solids at room temperature due to their high saturation rate. Unsaturated fats are liquids at room temperature and are known as oils. Saturated fats are beneficial to health because they raise healthy cholesterol levels. This reduces the risk of heart disease in people.

Comparison Table Between Lipids and Fats

What is Lipids?

Lipids are a kind of organic molecule that is soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water. They’re a diversified bunch of atoms and molecules. The majority of lipids are liquids. Some lipids, such as fats, are solids, though. Triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids are the three main forms of lipids. Triglycerides are the most common kind of lipid. Natural fats are another name for triglycerides. They’re esters, meaning they’re made up of a single glycerol molecule connected to three fatty acid molecules.

Fats and oils are two forms of triglycerides that are distinguished by the degree of saturation of the fatty acid molecules. Oils are made up of unsaturated triglycerides, whereas fats are made up of saturated triglycerides. The primary role of triglycerides in the human body is to store energy. Because they contain two fatty acid molecules, phospholipids are triglyceride derivatives. The phosphate group is connected to the third carbon of the glycerol molecule.

Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules with a hydrophobic diglyceride and a hydrophilic phosphate group. Phospholipids, which constitute the phospholipid bilayer, are the fundamental structural component of the cell membrane. The phospholipid molecules create a selectively permeable barrier in the cell membrane. Steroids are a class of hydrophobic compounds that are commonly present in cholesterol and hormones. Cholesterol serves as a precursor for the production of various forms of steroids in the body.

What is Fats?

Fats are greasy substances found in the body under the skin or surrounding the organs. Fats are often solid at room temperature due to the high degree of saturation of fatty acids. Unsaturated fats are referred to as oils, which are liquids at room temperature. Fats are often of animal origin, whereas oils are of plant origin. Saturated fat and trans fats are the two forms of fats. The main sources of dietary saturated fat include milk, beef, butter, and cheese.

Saturated fat consumption is beneficial to health because it raises levels of good cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Animal fat is stored in adipose tissue and under the skin. It is mostly utilized in the body as an energy-storage molecule. The majority of steroids in the body function as hormones. Phospholipids are typically found in cell membranes.

Trans fat is created when liquid vegetable oils are partially dehydrogenated. Its structure includes a single, double bond. Trans fats are solids at room temperature due to their high saturation. More trans fat consumption is harmful to one’s health when it raises the amounts of bad cholesterol in the blood.

Main Differences Between Lipids and Fats

1. Lipids are organic compounds that are water-insoluble yet soluble in organic solvents Fats are oily compounds found in the human body, such as under the skin or surrounding organs.
2. Butter, vegetable oil, and other steroids, waxes, phospholipids, and so on are examples of lipids. Saturated fats raise healthy Unsaturated fats are naturally found in the body and are helpful to health, whereas cholesterol levels in the body are advantageous. Beef, lamb, milk, cheese, cream, butter, and other foods are naturally found in unsaturated fats.
3. Lipids are a diverse class of biomolecules, and they serve as structural components as well as energy molecules in the body. Fats are a kind of lipids, and they serve as a source of energy.
4. The cell membrane is made up of lipids and serves as an essential, the inner cell is protected from its environment by a biological shield. In humans and many animals, fats have an important role in managing inflammation, blood clotting, and brain development.
5. Lipids are not soluble in water, although they are soluble in organic solvents. Fats are oily substances that exist beneath the skin and around the organs.

Conclusion

Lipids and fats are two types of biological substances found in the body of animals. Lipids and fats can only be dissolved in organic solvents. The primary distinction between lipids and fats is the nature of the molecules. Lipases, which are generated in the pancreas, break down fats and lipids in the human body.

Adipose tissue, commonly known as a fat repository, is a connective tissue layer composed of adipocytes found in humans. This tissue is mostly made up of fat and may be encountered beneath the epidermis, around internal organs, in blood cells, and the chest wall. The fundamental purpose of this tissue is to prevent the build-up of lipids. Obesity is caused by an overabundance of this tissue in people.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2002.HYPERLIN.x
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227520395912