Isoprenoid Compounds Flashcards
What is isoprene?
A five-carbon molecule that serves as the starting material for many lipid molecules
Isoprene is crucial for the synthesis of various compounds including vitamins and cholesterol.
List some compounds made from isoprene.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
- Cholesterol
- Carotenoids, such as zeaxanthin
How many enzyme-catalyzed reactions are involved in the preparation of compounds from isoprene?
10 or more enzyme-catalyzed reactions
What role does zeaxanthin play in organisms?
Protects from UV rays of the sun
Where is zeaxanthin found in humans?
In the human eye
What is the significance of vitamin K?
Essential for blood coagulation
What does the ‘K’ in vitamin K stand for?
Koagulation, from Danish
What role does cholesterol play in human cells?
Maintains the fluidity of the cellular bilayer
True or False: Cholesterol is harmful to cell membranes.
False
What are sterols?
Compounds with the same structure of four rings fused together, including cholesterol
Fill in the blank: Isoprenoid compounds serve a variety of _______ in nature.
[functions]
What is the structure of cholesterol?
Four rings fused together
Which bacterium produces zeaxanthin?
Pedobacter heparinus
What is a key function of carotenoids like zeaxanthin?
Protection from UV rays
What is the relationship between isoprene and carbon-based parts of molecules?
Isoprene units are used to make the carbon-based parts, including rings
