Table 1 Lipid Categories: Representation of the structures of the eight lipid categories [19]
From: Plasmalogen lipids: functional mechanism and their involvement in gastrointestinal cancer
| Lipid Categories | Molecular structures | Representative functions |
|---|---|---|
| Fatty acids |
| Major lipid building block of complex lipids. |
| Glycerolipids |
| Membrane constituents, metabolic fuels and signaling molecules. |
| Glycerophospholipids |
| Components of the lipid bilayer of cells. |
| Sphingolipids |
| Formed by a sphingoid base backbone. |
| Sterol lipids |
| Important components of membrane lipids and function as hormones. |
| Prenol lipids |
| Function as antioxidants. |
| Polyketides |
| Commonly used antimicrobial, antiparasitic and anticancer agents. |
| Saccharolipids |
| Components of membrane lipids. |