Lipids – Structural and Functional Components of Eukaryotic Cells

Abstract

Lipids are basic organic components of living cells. These biomolecules do not show catalytic activities. Despite this fact, lipids participate in a several important cell functions. At the organism level, they serve as energy sources (neutral lipids, fatty acids) or as mediators of signalling molecules. At the cellular level, lipids (glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and sterols) are structural components of membranes determining the establishment, maintenance and identity of intracellular compartments. In the membrane matrix, the composition of lipids determines physical and chemical properties of the membrane. In addition, lipids, due to their ability to form subdomains with membrane proteins, create appropriate conditions for optimal catalytic activity and/or stability of proteins and thereby influence several regulatory and signalling functions associated with these membranes.