Biosynthesis of Lipids and Hydrocarbons in Algae

Lipids function as important storage compounds to maintain cellular activities. Lipids store high reducing power and energy since those biosynthetic processes require high amount of reducing cofactors and ATP. Storage lipids do not cause any chemical effect on cellular activity such as osmolarity, pH and ion strength because of its hydrophobicity. Membrane lipids such as phospholipids, carotenoids, and cholesterols play a housekeeping role. In addition, some of lipids function as protein modifiers or signaling molecules.