Fat Metabolism Flashcards
In which cells is most of our fat stored?
Adipocytes
Which compound accounts for 78% of energy stored in the body?
Triglycerides
What are lipids (chemically)?
Esters of fatty acids
Give the functions of lipid.
Energy reserve
Structural part of cell membrane
Hormone metabolism
What is the function of lipoproteins?
They transport cholesterol in the blood
Give the two main types of lipoprotein.
HDL and LDL
Where is HDL formed?
Liver
What is the function of HDL (good cholesterol)?
Removes excess cholesterol from blood and tissue. Delivers the cholesterol to the liver to be converted to bile.
Where is LDL formed?
Plasma
What is the function of LDL (bad cholesterol)?
Main cholesterol carrier to cells in the body. LDLs bind to plasma membrane receptors and are taken up via endocytosis. LDL is essential in supplying cells with cholesterol but is referred to as bad as it is associated with increased deposition of cholesterol in arterial walls.
Why do cells need cholesterol?
For synthesis of cell membranes
Steroid hormone production in gonads
What is the role of VLDL?
Carries triglyceride from glucose in the liver to adipocytes.
Where does the conversion of fatty acids into ATP occur?
Mitochondria
Name too lipid enzymes in the liver.
Lipoprotein lipase
Hepatic lipase
What is the action of lipoprotein lipase?
Hydrolyses triglycerides within lipoproteins into 2 free fatty acids + 1 glycerol molecules
