Question

What is the difference between cholesterol and lipids?

Answer 1

1. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance found primarily in the cells of animals and humans.
2. Lipid are the organic compounds of fatty acids or derivatives of fatty acids, that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.

Cholesterol	Lipids
1. Cholesterol is the most prominent member of the steroid family of lipids.	1. Lipids are a family of organic compounds, composed of fats and oils.
2. It is a waxy, fat-like substance found primarily in the cells of animals and humans.	2. These are macromolecules which are responsible for different functions within the human body.
3. All cells and other body fluids contain some cholesterol, either in the free form or in storage form.	3. Lipids are oily or greasy nonpolar molecules, that are stored in the adipose tissue of the body.
4. It is a compound of sterol type found in tissues.	4. It is an organic compound made of fatty acids or its derivatives.
5. Sterol is a type of lipid.	5. It is one of the three main constituents of living cells.
6. Cholesterol is insoluble in blood as blood is a water-based fluid and cholesterol is an oil-based fluid. Therefore, as the cholesterol enters the bloodstream, it solidifies into lumps, which are called plaques.	6. Lipids are a class of compounds characterized by their solubility in nonpolar solvents and insolubility in water.
7. Cholesterol is a 27 carbon compound with central sterol nucleus made of four hydrocarbon ring and a hydroxyl group.	7. Lipids are a heterogeneous group of compounds, mainly composed of hydrocarbon chains.
8. Cholesterol is essential for making the cell membrane and cell structures and is vital for synthesis of hormones , vitamin-D and other substances.	8. Lipids are energy-rich organic molecules, which provide energy for different life processes.
9. Cholesterol is found in both plants and animal-based food, such as milk, milk products, eggs, whole grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables etc.	9. It is found in the dietary lipids and fats, oils from olives, sunflower, seed and nuts, fishes etc.