Which Type Of Lipid Is Classified As A Ring Structure?

Lipids are naturally occurring compounds that do not dissolve in water; we encounter them as oils, waxes or fats. They are usually represented on paper as line structures, and have two major classes. Saponifiable lipids are long chains of fatty acids; these break down with alcohol-based compounds like acetone. Nonsaponifiable substances are fat-soluble; the most famous of these is cholesterol.

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Sterol is a Ring Structure

Cholesterol is a member of the sterol family, the only lipid classified as a ring structure. In fact, it has a ring "system" of tetracycline elements; one of the rings joins back on itself in a double bond, thus fortifying the steroid properties of the element.

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Sterols Besides Cholesterol

Cholesterol is the only sterol lipid found in any measurable quantity in animals. However, other members of the "ring structure lipid" family — all of which promote healthy and nutritious benefits to foods — include sitosterol, stigmasterol, avenasterol, campesterol and brassicasterol. These are all found in plants, particularly canola sprouts, which accounts for the oil's popularity.

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Cite This Article

MLA

Stratford, Michael. "Which Type Of Lipid Is Classified As A Ring Structure?" sciencing.com, https://www.sciencing.com/type-lipid-classified-ring-structure-14719/. 24 April 2017.

APA

Stratford, Michael. (2017, April 24). Which Type Of Lipid Is Classified As A Ring Structure?. sciencing.com. Retrieved from https://www.sciencing.com/type-lipid-classified-ring-structure-14719/

Chicago

Stratford, Michael. Which Type Of Lipid Is Classified As A Ring Structure? last modified March 24, 2022. https://www.sciencing.com/type-lipid-classified-ring-structure-14719/

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