Classification of Lipids

Based on their structures, lipids are classified as simple lipids, compound lipids and derived lipids. Simple lipids are further split into fats, which are esters of long-chain fatty acids with glycerol (also called triglycerides), and waxes, which are esters of fatty acids with long-chain monohydric alcohols (beeswax is the example given).

Compound lipids are esters of a simple fatty acid with glycerol that additionally carry an extra functional group, and based on the identity of that extra group they are further classified into phospholipids, glycolipids and lipoproteins. Phospholipids contain a phospho-ester linkage, glycolipids have a sugar molecule attached, and lipoproteins are complexes formed between a lipid and a protein. …