lipid

/'lipid/ Cách viết khác : (lipide) /'lipid/ (lipin) /'lipin/

Thân thiện

A scientist examines a lipid sample under a microscope.

Definition

Noun: A lipid is a type of oily or fatty organic compound. It is a broad category of molecules that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents like alcohol or ether. Lipids are one of the essential structural components of all living cells, alongside proteins and carbohydrates.

Usage

The word "lipid" is a scientific term used primarily in biology, chemistry, and nutrition. It refers to a diverse group of natural molecules. * It is used as a countable noun when referring to types or molecules (e.g., a lipid, various lipids). * It is used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general substance or category (e.g., a diet high in lipid).

Examples

• In Biology: "Cholesterol is a lipid that is vital for cell membrane structure."
• In Nutrition: "Avocados are a healthy source of dietary lipid."
• In Chemistry: "The researchers analyzed the lipids present in the sample."
• General: "Fats, oils, and waxes are all classified as lipids."

Advanced Usage

• "Lipid bilayer": This is a foundational concept in cell biology. It refers to the double layer of lipid molecules (primarily phospholipids) that forms the core structure of all cell membranes, creating a barrier between the inside and outside of the cell.
  • Example: "The cell's lipid bilayer is selectively permeable."
• "Lipid profile": A common medical term for a blood test that measures the amounts of specific lipids (like cholesterol and triglycerides) to assess cardiovascular health.
  • Example: "The doctor ordered a lipid profile during my annual check-up."

Variants and Related Words

• Lipidic (adjective): Having the properties of or relating to lipids.
  • Example: "The substance has a lipidic composition."
• Lipidosis (noun): A medical term for a disorder characterized by the abnormal accumulation of lipids in tissues.
• Lipid-soluble (adjective): Describes a substance capable of dissolving in lipids or fats.
  • Example: "Vitamins A, D, E, and K are lipid-soluble vitamins."

Synonyms

• Fat: A more common, non-scientific term often used interchangeably with "lipid," though technically, fats are a specific subtype of lipids (triglycerides).
• Lipoid: An older, less common synonym for lipid.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Phospholipid: A major class of lipids and a primary component of cell membranes.
• Triglyceride: The main form of stored energy (fat) in the body, a type of lipid.
• Sterol: A type of lipid with a specific structure (e.g., cholesterol).
• Fatty acid: The building blocks of many complex lipids.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an oily organic compound insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents; essential structural component of living cells (along with proteins and carbohydrates)

Từ đồng nghĩa

• lipide
• lipoid