Lipid digestion, absorption and transport Flashcards
What are lipids?
Lipids are fats
Name the different types of lipids
Triglycerides
Phospholipids
Steroids
Describe the structure of triglycerides
Glycerol backbone
3 fatty acids
What is the structure of steroids?
They have a ring structure that doesn’t have enough hydroxyl groups to make them water soluble
Give examples of steroids
- Cholesterol
- Cortisol
- Estrogen
- Testosterone
Why do lipids require a special mechanism fro digestion and absorption?
As they are hydrophobic and water insoluble
What are lipids made up of?
Fatty acids
Name the 2 difference classifications of fatty acids
- Saturated
2. Unsaturated
What does it mean if a fatty acid is saturated?
Means it has only single covalent bonds between carbons (no double bonds)
What does it mean if a fatty acid is unsaturated?
They have one or more double covalent bond between carbons
What can unsaturated carbons be further split into?
- Monounsaturated fatty acids
2. Poly unsaturated fatty acids
What does it mean if a fatty acid is Monounsaturated ?
It only has ONE double covalent bond between carbons
What does it mean if a fatty acid is poly unsaturated ?
Means there’s 1 or more double covalent bonds in the fattty acid chain
What state are saturated fatty acids found in?
SOLIDS
Give examples of saturated fatty acids
Any fat eg
- Butter
- Ghee
- Coconut oil
What state are unsaturated fatty acids found in?
Lipids
Give examples of unsaturated fatty acids
Any oils eg olive oil
Give some functions of lipids
- Energy source
- Helps body absorb important fat soluble vitamins
- supports key body processes such as auctioning as biosynthetic precursor
- Fat cushions internal organs and protects them from being damaged
- Fat layer below the skin insulated the body
- Fat play s a role in maintaining healthy skin and hair
When do lipids serve as a source of energy?
Once calories from carbohydrates are used up
Give examples of fat soluble vitamins
Vitamin A, D, E and K
How many calories does one gram of fat provide?
9
What are some health issues associated with lipids
Excessive dietary fat intake is associated with obesity, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and
atherosclerosis.
What is the FDAs advice regarding fats
No more than 35% of the total energy intake should come from fat
What is the FDAs advice regarding saturated fat
No more than 10%of the total energy intake should come from saturated fat
What is the recommended daily value for total fat?
65g per day (based on a 2000 cal diet)
Which fatty acid comes from fatty fish?
Omega 3 fatty acids
What does omega 3 fatty acid protect against ?
atherosclerosis
Should you take fish oil as a substitute for eating fatty fish?
No as they contain concentrated toxins accumulated by the fish §
How many fish meals are recommended per week?
2-3
Name the parts of the body involved in lipid digestion
- Oral cavity
- Stomach
- Small intestine
Where does digestion begin?
The oral cavity
How does digestion of lipids begin?
Chewing of fats increases surface area
Lingual lipase is released in the mouth which breaks down lipas
How are lipids digested in the stomach?
Lingual lipase and gastric lipase are relased
What do lingual and gastric lipase do?
They spilt triglycerides into fatty acids and diglycerides
What are lingual and gastric lipase also known as?
Acidic lipases
Why are lingual and gastric lipase known as acidic lipases?
As their activity is stimulated and increased by a acidic environment
Eating what can help protect you against atherosclerosis?
Eating foods high in omega 3 fatty acids
What process if very important in lipid digestion?
Emulsification
Why is emulsification important?
As emulsification helps fats to dissolve in water so that nutrients can be absorbed
Are fats soluble in water?
NO
What happens in emulsification?
Fat is spread out and the surface area is increased so that the fat can dissolve in water
What can lingual lipase do?
It has the capacity to emulsify fats
What else is present in the mouth other than lingual lipase that aids lipid digestion
Phospholipids
How do phospholipids aid lipid digestion?
They are slightly more soluble than triglycerides so they help with emulsification
What is the activity of lipase stimulated and increased by?
By an acidic environment
What percentage of the triglycerides have been split into diglycerides and fatty acids in the stomach?
30%
Where does the main bulk of digestion take place?
In the small intestine
What is chyme?
Food that has been churned and partially digested in the stomach
Where does the chyme go after the stomach?
The small intestine
What does chyme stimulate?
Stimulates mucosa cells to realise the hormone choleocystokinin
What does the enzyme choleocystokinin do?
It stimulated the gall bladder and pancreas to release bile and digestive enzymes
What type of pH does chyme have?
An acidic ph
What does bile contain?
Bile salts(acid)