Difference Between Lipids and Fats

Lipids vs Fats

There are numerous classifications of elements that are being produced by a living creature. It has been said that compounds that are organic in nature are considered to be the “chemicals of life.” These are being utilized as sources for synthesizing hormones as well as enzymes, sources of energy within the cell, and sources for building new tissues. Organic compounds differ from inorganic compounds in such a way that organic compounds possess carbon hydrogen bonds while there is the absence of carbon hydrogen bonds in inorganic compounds. Vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids are the foremost classification of organic compounds.

Carbohydrates provide the body with the needed energy for daily activities. An athlete, before going on with his sport, usually “carbo-loads,” eating a large amount of food rich in carbohydrates like bread, grains, potatoes, and pasta to give himself enough of a supply of energy to be able to last the game. For continuous life processes, carbohydrates are needed by the body. Protein-rich foods include dairy products, eggs, and meat. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins; a protein is a group of complex and large molecules. Proteins are the basic materials needed to reproduce a new cell and help in the oxygen transport through the body; it also initiates vital chemical reactions in the body. Vitamins are organic substances usually found in our foods which are essential for normal growth, development, and metabolism.

Lipids, aside from proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins, are also organic compounds needed by the body. Lipids along with fats are the key topics that will be discussed here further. We are adding organic compounds on our bread whenever we spread butter on it. These organic compounds are known as lipids. Lipids do not dissolve in water and include fats and oils. They also have a long-chained structure. Lipids play a vital role in the body as they emit substances which regulate body temperature and give protection to our nerve cells. Lipids can also be a source of energy like carbohydrates, but excess lipids that are not taken by the body get stored as body fats. The term “lipids” generally include: oil, fats, and fat-like substances. There are two types of lipids that we can get from the food that we eat: the saturated lipids and the unsaturated lipids. Lipids can be in the form of oil when they are in a liquid form at room temperature, and they can also be called fats when it is in their solid form at room temperature. Therefore, lipids take two forms: the oil which is the liquid and the fats which are the solids. Meanwhile, fats take only one form and that is being the solid one. Since fats are in a solid state, it is an implication that their chemical structure is much simpler compared to that of lipids which take two forms of matter–liquid and solid. In addition, fats are the most highly concentrated energy source. Lastly, the metabolism of other forms of lipids is a lot faster compared to that of fats.

SUMMARY:

1.Fats are classified under the lipid category.
2.Lipids have two forms: they are called oil when they are a liquid and fats when solid. Fats have only one form and that is being solid.
3.Since fats are in a solid state, that is an implication that their chemical structure is much simpler compared to that of lipids which take two forms of matter–liquid and solid.
4.Fats are the most highly concentrated energy source.
5.Metabolism of other forms of lipids is a lot faster compared to that of fats.

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