7: Lipids Flashcards
Types of Lipids:
Structure and Composition of Triglycerides
- main dietary lipid
- glycerol backbone with three fatty acids attached to it
- Fatty acids differ in degree of saturation, length, or geometric organization
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Degree of Saturation of Fatty Acids
- saturated fatty acids = no double bonds (saturated with hydrogens)
- unsaturated fatty acids = one (mono)or more (poly) double bonds
- polyunsaturated fatty acid are named according to where double bond is (counting from omega end)
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Essential fatty acids
- human body cannot synthesize PUFAs with the double bond before the ninth position, therefore essential
- two essential fatty acids: alpha-linoleic acid (omega-3) and linolenic acid (omega-6) - can be used to synthesize other omega-3/-6s
- used to synthesize signalling molecules called eicosanoids
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Length of Fatty Acids in Food
Found in:
- Long-chain fatty acids: variety of animal products, some plants
- Medium-chain fatty acids: tropical oils
- Short-chain fatty acids: made by bacteria when they ferment indigestible carbs
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Lengths of Fatty Acids
LCFAs: 14+ carbon atoms
MCFAs: 6-12 carbon atoms
SCFAs: 2-4 carbon atoms
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Geometric Structure of Fatty Acids
- fatty acids are named based on their geometirc organization
- Unsaturated fatty acids can be either cis- or trans-fatty acids
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Fatty Acids - Hydrogenation
- food industry converts cis-fatty acids into trans-fatty acids (resemble saturated fatty acid)
- done because trans-fatty acids are more stable and therefore have a longer shelf life
- artificial/industrial trans fats significantly increase risk of CVD
Geometric structure differences between a cis- and trans-fatty acid
Location of where hydrogens lie in space around the double bond
Cis-: hydrogens on same side of the double bond - produces a kink
Trans: hydrogen atoms are on opposite sides of double bond - no kink
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Structure, function, source of Sterols
- hydrocarbon chain arranged in a ring formation
- variety of structural and functional roles in the body (cell membrane structure, hormone formation)
- source from both plant/animals
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Animal-Derived Sterols
Cholesterol: most common animal-derived sterol
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Animal-Derived Cholesterol
- a third of human cell membrane is composed of cholesterol
- Precursor for vitamin D
- Precursor for estrogen, testosterone
T/F: Cholesterol is not considered an essential nutrient
True, liver and other body tissues can synthesize their own cholesterol, so it is not needed from the diet
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Plant-Derived Sterols
- AKA plant sterols, phytosterols
- Slightly different molecular structure than animal-derived sterols
- Found in unrefined vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, fruits
•May limit the absorption of animal-derived sterols when consumed
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Structural differences of Phospholipids vs Fatty Acids
- share many structural similarities
- both have fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone
- triglyceride has 3 fatty acids, while the phospholipid has 2 fatty acids; in the place of the third fatty acid there is a phosphate group
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Phospholipids
- amphiphilic nature (hydrophilic and a hydrophobic end) gives them special properties and functions
- form bilayer when immersed in water
- act as emulsifiers
- carry lipids around body (lipoproteins)
T/F: Triglycerides are completely hydrophobic, whereas phospholipids are not
True, phospholipids are amphiphilic. Fatty acid groups are hydrophobic, while phosphate group is hydrophilic
Types of Lipids: Triglycerides
Phospholipid Bilayer
phosphate heads facing the watery environment and fatty acid tails facing each other
- Only water and non-polar substances (fats) can readily pass through this membrane. Most other molecules and ions are not able to pass through the bilayer unless there is a transporter
What nutrients require a protein transporter to move from one side of the cell to the other
Carbohydrates, amino acids, minerals and water-soluble vitamins require a protein transporter (and potentially energy)
Lipid Digestion Process
Mouth: lingual lipasae chemically digests MCFAs/SCFAs, mechanical digestion separates FA from 3glerceride
Stomach: gastric lipase digests MCFAs/SCFAs
Small Intestine: Majority lipid digestion - bile emulsifies lipids, and pancreatic lipase digests remaining lipids
Large Intestine: minimal lipid digestion and absorption
Lipid Digestion: Micelle
Lipid Digestion: what can be found in Micelle
Sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K), glycerol, FA, and other hydrophobic structure
Lipid Absorption
- Micelle breaks down. Lipid contents absorbed into small intestine cells through passive diffusion
- Lipids wrapped in phospholipids and exit small intestine cell and enter centre of villus. Resulting in structure called chylomicron (lipoprotein)
- Chylomicrons are too large to enter blood so they enter lacteals