'An excellent way to boost our sales' is how a company manufacturing and exporting textile machinery for processing cotton and synthetic fibres describes HSBC Trade Services' Insured Export Finance facility. In this business, competition comes primarily from Germany but also from Swiss, Italian and Japanese companies. This manufacturer has developed new markets in the USA, China and Asia-Pacific. With terms of payment varying, but repayment sometimes being made over periods of up to five years, the Insured Export Finance facility provides funding for credit-insured export sales to the USA. The exporter receives ten per cent in advance and 90 per cent when documents are presented (evidence of shipment), which is usually 5-6 weeks before the customer actually pays.

1. What are the main types of lipids?

2. What is the molecular structure of glycerol? To which organic functional group does this substance belong?

3. What is the composition of triglycerides?

4. What are phospholipids?

5. What are steroids? What are some examples of steroids with a biological function?

6. What are hydrophobic molecules (or hydrophobic molecular regions)? What are hydrophilic molecules? How can they be described in relation to their polarity?

7. Are organic solvents such as benzene and ethers polar or non-polar substances?

8. How are lipids classified according to solubility?

9. What is meant by saturation or unsaturation when referring to oils and fats?

10. Why do fats have thermal insulation properties?

11. How are lipids used as an energy source by the body?