2 Lipids and Cardiac Marker Flashcards
What is a lipid?
Marcomolecule composed of fatty acid monomers,
Water insoluble
But soluble in nonpolar solvents (acetone, ether, chloroform, or benzene).
What are the functions of lipids?
- Energy storage
- Protection and insulation
- Tissue structure (cell membranes)
- Compound synthesis (like carbs and steroid hormones).
- Transport of fat soluble vitamins (Vit A, D, E, and K need fat)
- Provide essential fatty acids.
What are the major form of lipids?
- Cholesterols (steroid alcohol containing 4 rings and a single C-H side chain tail).
- Triglycerides (3 fatty acids covalently linked to glycerol backbone)
- Phospholipids (phosphate head + glycerol + 2 fatty acids)
What are fatty acids?
Linear chain of C-H bonds that terminate with a carboxyl group (R-COOH)
How are phospholipids amphipathic?
Phospholipids are amphipathic as they have a:
Non-polar tail (Hydrophobic) - fatty acid chain Polar Head (Hydrophilic) - phosphate group
amphipathic
ADJECTIVE
biochemistry
(of a molecule, especially a protein) having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.
What does it mean when a fat is said to be saturated?
No double bonds in hydrocarbon chain –> saturated w/ hydrogen.
Free rotation around carbon bonds.
Weak van der wahl’s forces
Melting point increased, as chain length is increased.
Tends to be solid/waxy at room temperature (e.g. butter)
Harder for body to process.
What does it mean for a lipid to be unsaturated?
Unsaturated:
- Double bonds in hydrocarbon chain.
- No rotation around C=C bonds.
- Difficult for H and C molecules to get close enough for van der wahl’s forces.
- end to be liquid at room temp.
Can be one C=C bond (double bond) or several. Name based on location of the first double bond.
What is the result of the ‘Cis’ configuration of unsaturated fats and what is the result to the molecule?
Cis Configuration:
- Both hydrogen atoms on the same side of the C=C double bond –> results in a bend in the molecular structure.
What is the ‘Trans’ configuration for fat (i.e. Trans fat)?
Trans fat:
- Both hydrogen atoms of the C=C double bond are on opposite sides –> NO BEND in molecular structure.
Are ‘Trans’ fat commonly found in nature and what is the concern regarding them?
Trans fat:
1. Not commonly found in nature, but can be created by industry.
2. Increases risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
Public health measures to reduce trans fat in food supply.
What are Lipoproteins?
Hydrophobic core of triglycerides and cholesterol surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipids with apolipoproteins attached –> forms a water soluble complex.
That enables transport of lipids through the bloodstream for storage, energy and hormone manf.
What are apolipoproteins?
Apolipoproteins are found on the surface of lipoproteins –> FUNCTONAL PART.
Maintain structural integrity of lipoproteins and act as activators for enzymes that modify lipoprotein particles.
What are the different types of lipoproteins from the least dense to the greatest?
- Chylomicrons (largest and least dense)
- VLDL, Very-low-density lipoproteins
- LDL, Low-density lipoproteins
- HDL, High-density lipoproteins
What does a chylomicron do?
- Carries dietary cholesterol to the liver. It is formed during lipid absorption in the intestine.
- Delivers dietary triglycerides to adipose tissue and muscle.
What can account for turbidity or milky appearance of blood samples after a patient has had a meal?
High levels of chylomicrons.
They float to the top when stored at 4C and form a creamy layer when present in high quantities.
What do Very-low-density (VLDL) lipoproteins do? Where are they made?
Carry triglycerides from the liver to peripheral tissue for energy and fat storage. They are rich in triglycerides.
Made in the liver.