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L.9 Lipids Flashcards

1
Q

What class of biomolecules are insoluble in water?

A

Lipids

Includes fats, oils, phospholipids, and steroids.

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2
Q

What are the two types of lipids based on polarity?

A
  • Non-polar lipids (e.g., triglycerides)
  • Polar lipids (e.g., phospholipids)

Fatty acids are the building blocks of these lipids.

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3
Q

What are the main dietary functions of lipids?

A
  • Energy storage
  • Required for fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
  • Cell membrane structure
  • Essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6)

Lipids provide high energy content.

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4
Q

What role do lipids play in insulation?

A
  • Storage of energy in adipose tissue
  • Insulation against heat loss
  • Electrical insulation of nerves
  • Myelin sheath

Myelin sheath is a lipid-rich layer that surrounds nerves, speeding up nerve impulse transmission.

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5
Q

What are the main components of cell membranes?

A

Phospholipids

Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules with a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail.

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6
Q

What structure do phospholipids form in cell membranes?

A

Lipid bilayer

The bilayer is essential for membrane integrity and function.

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7
Q

What are eicosanoids derived from?

A

Arachidonic acid

Eicosanoids include prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.

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8
Q

What functions do eicosanoids regulate?

A
  • Inflammation
  • Blood clotting
  • Smooth muscle contraction

Eicosanoids are important signaling molecules.

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9
Q

Fill in the blank: Lipids are required for _______ vitamins.

A

fat-soluble

Includes vitamins A, D, E, and K.

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10
Q

True or False: Myelin sheath is a lipid-rich layer that helps in the rapid transmission of nerve impulses.

A

True

The myelin sheath allows for rapid depolarization and repolarization.

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11
Q

What are simple lipids?

A

Esters of fatty acids with various alcohols

Examples include triglycerides and waxes.

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12
Q

What are complex lipids?

A

Esters of fatty acids with various alcohols and other components

Examples include phospholipids and glycolipids.

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13
Q

What characterizes phospholipids?

A

Contain a phosphate group

Phospholipids are a type of complex lipid.

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14
Q

What characterizes glycolipids?

A

Contain a carbohydrate group

Glycolipids are a type of complex lipid.

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15
Q

What are derived lipids?

A

Lipids derived from simple or complex lipids

Examples include steroids, eicosanoids, fat-soluble vitamins, hormones, and ketone bodies.

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16
Q

Define a fatty acid.

A

A long chain of hydrocarbons with a carboxylic acid group at one end

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17
Q

What are saturated fatty acids?

A

Fatty acids with no double bonds between carbon atoms

Typically solid at room temperature; examples include animal fats, butter, and lard.

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18
Q

What are unsaturated fatty acids?

A

Fatty acids with one or more double bonds between carbon atoms

They are usually liquid at room temperature; examples include vegetable oils and fish oil.

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19
Q

What is the difference between monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids?

A

Monounsaturated have one double bond; polyunsaturated have two or more double bonds.

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20
Q

What are the major dietary lipids?

A

Triglycerides and phospholipids

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21
Q

Why must lipids be emulsified before absorption?

A

They are hydrophobic

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22
Q

What role do bile salts play in lipid digestion?

A

Emulsify lipids in the small intestine

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23
Q

What are micelles?

A

Small droplets of lipids formed during lipid digestion

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24
Q

Where are lipids absorbed in the body?

A

By enterocytes in the small intestine (jejunum)

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25
What happens to lipids after absorption?
They are re-esterified into triglycerides and packaged into chylomicrons.
26
What are apolipoproteins?
Proteins that bind to lipids to form lipoproteins ## Footnote They act to regulate lipid transport.
27
What does the total cholesterol measure?
Total amount of cholesterol in the blood ## Footnote High levels are associated with atherosclerosis.
28
What is LDL cholesterol?
Low-density lipoprotein ## Footnote Transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues and high levels are associated with atherosclerosis.
29
What is HDL cholesterol?
High-density lipoprotein ## Footnote Transports cholesterol from the tissues to the liver and high levels are protective against atherosclerosis.
30
What are triglycerides?
A type of fat found in the blood ## Footnote They are part of the lipid profile.
31
What is the lipid profile useful for?
Cardiovascular risk screening ## Footnote It includes total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.
32
When should the lipid profile be measured?
In cases of: * Hypertension (BP > 140/90 mmHg) * Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance * Family history of premature cardiovascular disease * Family history of dyslipidaemia * Overweight or obesity * Smoking * Poor diet * Monitoring treatment ## Footnote These factors indicate a higher risk for cardiovascular issues.
33
What is cholesterol?
Sterol (steroid and alcohol) found in animal tissues ## Footnote Essential for synthesis of cell membranes, hormones, and bile acids, e.g., testosterone, oestradiol.
34
What are the two sources of cholesterol?
* Endogenous: synthesised in the liver * Exogenous: from the diet
35
What role do lipoproteins play in cholesterol transport?
Lipoproteins are needed to be blood soluble ## Footnote They include HDL, LDL, and VLDL.
36
What is hypercholesterolaemia associated with?
Atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in arteries) ## Footnote A risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
37
What are triglycerides?
Esters of glycerol and fatty acids ## Footnote Major form of fatty acid storage in the body.
38
What condition can elevated triglycerides indicate?
Pancreatitis
39
What do lipoproteins contain?
Lipids and proteins ## Footnote Allowing them to be soluble in blood for transport.
40
How are lipoproteins classified?
By density
41
What is the function of HDLs (High Density Lipoproteins)?
Transports cholesterol from the tissues to the liver ## Footnote Reverse cholesterol transport.
42
What are high levels of HDL associated with?
Protective against atherosclerosis ## Footnote Often referred to as 'good cholesterol'.
43
What are LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins) primarily responsible for?
Transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues
44
What are high levels of LDL associated with?
Atherosclerosis ## Footnote Often referred to as 'bad cholesterol'.
45
How is LDL cholesterol typically measured?
Indirectly by calculation (Friedewald equation) ## Footnote LDL Cholesterol = Total Cholesterol − HDL Cholesterol – Trigs/2.2.
46
What are apolipoproteins?
Proteins that bind to lipids to form lipoproteins
47
What is one function of apolipoproteins?
Interact with cell surface receptors to allow lipid uptake
48
What role do apolipoproteins have in lipid metabolism?
Serve as enzyme cofactors
49
What is the lipid profile pattern characterized by high total cholesterol, high LDL, high triglycerides, and low HDL?
atherogenic dyslipidaemia ## Footnote This pattern is associated with high risk for cardiovascular disease.
50
What is the lipid profile pattern characterized by low total cholesterol, low LDL, low triglycerides, and high HDL?
protective against atherosclerosis ## Footnote This pattern indicates low risk for cardiovascular disease.
51
What are the desirable ranges for HDL cholesterol in mmol/L?
>1.5 ## Footnote This value indicates a higher level of HDL, which is considered protective.
52
What are the desirable ranges for LDL cholesterol in mmol/L?
1.7-3.5 ## Footnote Maintaining LDL within this range is important for cardiovascular health.
53
What are the desirable ranges for triglycerides in mmol/L?
0.5-1.7 ## Footnote Triglyceride levels within this range are considered normal.
54
What are the desirable ranges for total cholesterol in mmol/L?
3.9-5.5 ## Footnote Total cholesterol levels should ideally fall within this range.
55
What is the purpose of CVD risk scoring?
To assess the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years ## Footnote Different scoring systems like Framingham, QRISK3, and ASCVD are used.
56
What is atherosclerosis?
Thickening and hardening of the arteries due to plaque build-up ## Footnote Plaque is made up of cholesterol, calcium, and other substances.
57
What factors can cause atherosclerosis to progress rapidly?
Lifestyle or other risk factors ## Footnote While generally slow and progressive, certain factors can accelerate its development.
58
What is primary dyslipidaemia?
Genetic disorders that cause abnormal lipid metabolism ## Footnote An example is familial hypercholesterolaemia.
59
What is familial hypercholesterolaemia?
An autosomal dominant disorder characterized by high levels of LDL cholesterol ## Footnote This condition leads to an increased risk of early heart disease if untreated.
60
What is the prevalence of familial hypercholesterolaemia?
≈ 1 in 250-500 people ## Footnote It is a common inherited disorder.
61
What is the first-line treatment for familial hypercholesterolaemia?
statins ## Footnote Monitoring and treatment are essential for managing this condition.

Clinical Chemistry (21 decks)

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