What is the difference between lipids and carbohydrates?
Lipids and carbohydrates are different in chemistry and function.Difference in chemistry:Carbohydrates are hydrates of carbon. They usually contain more than 2 Carbon atoms, and are not necessarily sugars or sweet. They also form an important component of DNA, RNA and even ATP (the energy currency). Glucose: sweet [Glucose]Cellulose : still a carbohydrate but not sweet. [Cellulose]Lipids on the other hand are more diverse in chemistry. They generally have a polar region (that attracts water) and a large/substantial nonpolar hydrocarbon region (that repels water). Lipids include oils, fatty acids, waxes, steroid, hormones (estrogen) etc. Due to this property, they don't dissolve in water, and instead clump together to prevent the hydrocarbon region from interacting with water. Some examples of lipids [Lipids]Difference in function:Both carbohydrates and lipids have very many independent biological functions. The difference in function arises from their difference in chemistry. Here is the main distinction:Simple carbohydrates (sugar, glucose, fructose etc) are the main source of immediate energy. That is, they are metabolized easily and quickly. All our cells can use glucose for energy, so once it is metabolized and reaches the blood stream it can travel to other cells and tissues. However, lipids are good for storage. The fact that they are insoluble in water makes helps in this cause, and also they can provide twice as much energy (or more) as some carbohydrates. We don't fully understand many parts of lipid metabolism, for example, how we store fat and when and why we call it into action. Which is one of the reasons why nutrition is a difficult science. For more on lipid functions, see : What are the main biological functions of lipids?
What are differences between human and bacteria cells?
The bacteria have prokaryotic cells. The prokaryotic cells are most primitive and simple type of cells. They have a single coiled chromosome(DNA) lying free in the cytoplasm, and ,therefore, no well developed nucleus. Further, the membrane bound organelles like mitochondria, golgi, ER, lysosomes etc are absent. Ribosomes of 70s type. All bacteria have a rigid cell wall of murein. On the other hand, humans have eukaryotic cells. They have well developed nucleus with nuclear membrane. They possess membrane bound organelles like mitochondia, golgi, ER, lysosomes etc. Ribosomes are of 80s type. no cell wall, only cell membrane is present. Human cells divide by mitosis while as bacterial cells divide by binary fission.
What are the differences and similarities between carbohydrates and lipids?
Differences based on :-1) Solubility in water- Carbohydrates dissolve in water and travel easily through your bloodstream and tissues. Whereas lipids do not dissolve in water. That is why lipids get coated with water-soluble proteins to form microscopic complexes called lipoproteins which helps it travel through your blood stream.2) Digestion and absorbtion-The enzymes in your saliva, pancreas and small intestine break down carbohydrates into simple sugars called monosaccharides, which pass into your bloodstream for distribution to your organs and tissues.Lipids require a more complex digestive process. Liver produces bile juice which is released into small intestine by gallbladder. Bile breaks down large lipid globules into microscopic droplets, which are then digested by enzymes in pancreas.3) Structure-Lipids are made up of triglyceride molecules, which are phosphate molecules with 3 long alkyl chains bound to it. Carbohydrate is a biological molecule consisting of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O). Carbohydrates are also called saccharides (A group that includes sugar, starch and cellulose). Saccharides are divided into four groups- monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Similarity :- Energy Provision-Both Carbohydrates and lipids (fats) are important sources of energy. Carbohydrates are quickly broken down quickly broken down into glucose which fuels all muscles. Carbohydrates can also be stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver for later use. Lipids are either stored in various fat deposits throughout the body for later energy use or are available in the bloodstream for immediate use.