Introduction to Chemistry of Lipids

2.5. Functions of Fatty acid

1. The fluidity of membrane depends on length and degree of unsaturated fatty acids. Membrane phospholipid (PL) contains essential fatty acids. 

In case of deficiency of essential fatty acid (EFA), other fatty acids replace them in the membrane; as a result, membrane gets modified structurally and functionally.

2. They are required for the synthesis of Phospholipid, cholesterol ester and lipoproteins

3. Poly unsaturated fatty acids are released from membranes, diverted for the synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotriens and thromboxanes.

4. They act as fat mobilizing agents in liver and protect liver from accumulating fats (fatty liver).