Chapter 6: Fats and Other Lipids Flashcards
What are the three major kinds of lipids?
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids
- Sterols (Cholesterol)
These are the most common types of lipids found in the body.
True or False: Lipids are soluble in water.
False
Lipids are insoluble in water and are less dense than water.
Fill in the blank: Lipids include triglycerides, phospholipids, and _______.
Sterols (Cholesterol)
Sterols are another major category of lipids.
How many kcal per gram do lipids provide?
9 kcal per gram
This makes lipids a dense source of energy compared to carbohydrates and proteins.
What functions do lipids have in the body?
- Provide insulation
- Help transport fat-soluble vitamins
- Line membranes
These functions are vital for maintaining health and supporting bodily processes.
What are fatty acids composed of?
Chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms
They also have a carboxyl group (–COOH) at one end.
What are the three ways fatty acids can vary?
- Length
- Saturation
- Number of double bonds
These variations affect their properties and functions.
What does the saturation of fatty acids refer to?
The presence of double bonds between carbon atoms
Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more.
How many double bonds are found in saturated fatty acids?
0 double bonds
Saturated fatty acids are fully saturated with hydrogen atoms.
How many double bonds are found in monounsaturated fatty acids?
1 double bond
This structure affects their health benefits and physical state.
How many double bonds are found in polyunsaturated fatty acids?
2 or more double bonds
These fatty acids are essential for health and must be obtained from the diet.
Which type of fat is more likely to be solid at room temperature?
Saturated fats
Saturated fats have a higher melting point compared to unsaturated fats.
What is the carbon range for short-chain fatty acids?
2 to 4 carbons
Short-chain fatty acids are typically defined as having fewer than 6 carbon atoms.
Why are certain fatty acids classified as essential?
They cannot be synthesized by the body
Essential fatty acids must be obtained through diet.
Name two essential fatty acids.
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Arachidonic acid (AA) is also considered essential for infants.
What do infants require essential fatty acids for?
Growth and nervous system development
Essential fatty acids are crucial for proper development in infants.
What are common deficiency signs of essential fatty acids?
Scaly skin, hair loss, and poor wound healing
Deficiencies can lead to various health issues.
What has reduced the health concern regarding trans fatty acids?
Bans and regulations on their use
Many countries have implemented bans on trans fats in food products.
What is the carbon range for medium -chain fatty acids?
6 to 12 carbons
What is the carbon range for long-chain fatty acids?
14 to 24 carbons
What is the backbone structure of triglycerides made of?
Glycerol
Triglycerides are composed of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids.
What is the most common type of lipid found in food and in the human body?
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the predominant form of stored fat in the body.
Fill in the blank: Saturated fats are typically ______ and unsaturated fats are typically ______ (or ______ ).
solid, unsaturated fats are typically liquid or (oils).
This distinction is based on the chemical structure of the fats.
True or False: Triglycerides in fats and oils are typically the same type.
False
Saturated fat bends and has a different molecular structure. Unsaturated has more double bonds for carbon.
List three examples of foods high in saturated fats.
- High fat dairy (butter, cheese, cream cheese)
- Fatty meats (beef, sausage, bacon)
- Tropical oils (palm and coconut oil)
Saturated fats are commonly found in these food sources.
List three examples of foods high in unsaturated fats.
- Oils (olive, canola, peanut)
- Nuts and seeds (walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds)
- Fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel)
Unsaturated fats are often considered healthier options.
What do phospholipids contain that gives them a hydrophilic head?
Phosphate group
The phosphate group is part of the structure that allows phospholipids to interact with water.
What is the tail structure of phospholipids made of?
Fatty acids
The fatty acid tails are hydrophobic, which helps in forming cellular membranes.
What role do phospholipids play in the body, especially allowing water and oil to mix?
they function as emulsifiers, which are important for forming cell membranes.
Phospholipids create a bilayer that is essential for cell structure and function.
List three foods high in unsaturated fat (mono saturated and Poly saturated ).
Oils: olive, canola, peanut, etc.
Nuts and Seeds: walnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds, etc.
Other foods: salmon, avocados, tuna, etc.
What are some foods rich in phospholipids?
Foods such as egg yolks, soybeans, and sunflower seeds
Phospholipids are a type of lipid that is essential for cell membrane structure.
Are phospholipids required in the diet?
No, they are similar to triglycerides and are basically in everything.
Phospholipids play a crucial role in various cellular processes.
How are sterols structured?
They have a unique multi-ring structure
Sterols are a subgroup of steroids and include compounds such as cholesterol.
Where are sterols primarily found?
In animal-based foods, especially in egg yolks and meats
Plant sterols can also be found in vegetable oils and nuts.
What are the three important roles of sterols in the body?
- Vitamin D production
- Sex Hormone synthesis
- Bile
Cholesterol is a key sterol involved in these processes.
What occurs in the stomach regarding lipid digestion?
Only minor digestion of fat by salivary and gastric lipases
The stomach primarily prepares lipids for further digestion in the intestines.
What role does the liver play in lipid digestion?
It produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder
Bile emulsifies fats, making them easier to digest.
What signals the gallbladder to contract and release bile?
Cholecystokinin (CCK)
CCK is a hormone released in response to fats in the small intestine.
What does the pancreas produce for lipid digestion?
Pancreatic lipase
This enzyme is essential for breaking down lipids into fatty acids and monoglycerides.
What happens to fatty acids and monoglycerides in the small intestine?
They mix with bile to form micelles
Micelles facilitate the absorption of lipids into intestinal villi.
How do short and medium-chain fatty acids enter the bloodstream?
They enter the capillaries of the villus
These fatty acids are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
What do chylomicrons transport?
Large particles of lipids and protein formed in absorptive cells from long-chain fatty acids.
Chylomicrons transport long-chain fatty acids which enter lacteals to go into the lymphatic system.
What percentage of undigested fat is typically excreted in feces?
Less than 5%
This indicates that lipid digestion and absorption are generally efficient.
What is the role of Lecithin?
Major phospholipid in your cell membranes, main phospholipid in foods.
What do micelles do?
They carry fat to absorptive cells at the brush border.
What are chylomicrons?
Lipoproteins that carry dietary fat ( long chain fatty acids) from the lymphatic system to the bloodstream
Chylomicrons are broken down and used by cells as needed, with remaining components cleared by the liver to make other lipoproteins.
What is the function of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)?
Deliver fat made by the body to cells
VLDL may also be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
What do low-density lipoproteins (LDL) transport?
“Bad” Cholesterol to cells
LDL can also deposit cholesterol in the walls of arteries.
What is the role of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) “good cholesterol”?
Remove cholesterol from blood and deliver it to the liver for excretion
HDL is the smallest and densest lipoprotein, highest in protein.
What starts the enterohepatic circulation process?
Bile salts are recycled by the liver to make new bile
This process is harmful to the body.
How can soluble fiber affect enterohepatic circulation?
It can interfere with this process, forcing the liver to draw cholesterol from the blood, lowering blood cholesterol levels.
What do adipose cells do when the body’s cells need energy?
Adipose cells (remove free fatty acid and glycerol from blood and reform them into triglyceride for storage.
Any access, micro nutrient can be converted to lipids.
What is the main source of energy at rest?
Fat.
What is the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for lipids?
20% to 35% of total calories.
What is saturated fat associated with?
Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease.
What is the recommended limit for saturated fat intake?
Keep saturated fat below 10% of total calories, ideally less than 7%.
What should saturated fat be replaced with?
Unsaturated fats.
When the body’s cells need energy, adipose cells release _____________ into the bloodstream , which can metabolize _________ for energy .
Stored lipids, fatty acids
Liver can convert glycerol to glucose .
What is the umbrella term for cardiovascular diseases?
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE or CVD
CVD encompasses various conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels.
What does coronary artery disease (CAD), also referred to as heart disease affect in the body?
Arteries that supply blood to the heart, which can lead to myocardial infarction AKA heart attack
What is affected by carotid artery disease?
Arteries in the neck
This condition can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain.
What does peripheral artery disease (PAD) affect?
Arteries in the limps and pelvis
What is a stroke?
When blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced
This can lead to brain damage and loss of function.
What is hypertension?
Chronic high blood pressure
Can damage organs.
What is atherosclerosis?
Build up of plaque inside arteries
Atherosclerosis results in reduced blood flow and can lead to CVD.
What does arterial plaque do?
Narrowed arteries, interfering with circulation from lipid plaque build up.
This can lead to serious cardiovascular events.
What can plaque formation lead to?
Myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, gangrene
What does HDL role in CVD risk?
High-Density Lipoprotein; carries oxidized cholesterol to the liver for removal which may be harmful to the liver.
What does LDL stand for in its role of CVD risk?
Low-Density Lipoprotein carries cholesterol to tissues, which can make arterial plaque especially harmful in its small, dense form and oxidized form.
Fill in the blank: High levels of _______ may contribute to atherosclerosis.
VLDL
Managing VLDL levels is important for cardiovascular health.
Plaque may also result in the formation of a____________ (clot that stays in place) or _____________(clot that move through the bloodstream.)
Thrombus, Embolus.
