What are the building blocks of lipids?

Lipids are a diverse group of biological molecules that are primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The building blocks of lipids typically include:

1. Fatty Acids: These are long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxyl group at one end. They can be saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (one or more double bonds).

2. Glycerol: A three-carbon alcohol that serves as a backbone to which fatty acids are esterified in triglycerides and phospholipids.

3. Phosphate Group: Found in phospholipids, which are a major component of cell membranes. The phosphate group is attached to the glycerol backbone.

4. Steroids: These are lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings. Cholesterol is a common example.

5. Other Alcohols: In some lipids, such as waxes, long-chain alcohols are esterified to fatty acids.

These components combine in various ways to form different types of lipids, each serving distinct functions in biological systems, such as energy storage, structural components of cell membranes, and signaling molecules.