8 examples of biological functions of lipids?

• Storage of energy • Insulation from environment – Low thermal conductivity – High heat capacity (can “absorb” heat) – Mechanical protection (can absorb shocks) • Water repellant – Hydrophobic nature: keeps surface of the organism dry • Prevents excessive wetting (birds) - Prevents loss of water via evaporation Buoyancy control and acoustics in marine mammals – Increased density while diving deep helps sinking (just a hypothesis) Membrane structure acts as a cofactor for enzymes Signaling molecules Pigments Antioxidants