Lipid Metabolism. Flashcards
Define amphipathic?
They are molecules that have a hydrophobic region and a hydrophilic region.
What is cholecystokinin (CCK)?
A secreted molecule that leads to the release of pancreatic enzymes.
Define emulsification?
It is the breakdown of large fat droplets into much smaller droplets.
How does emulsification help enzymes function?
The emulsification of fat droplets creates a larger surface area for enzymes to work on.
What is a glycocalyx?
The glycocalyx is made up of sugars and proteins and covers the outside of the plasma membrane.
What is a lipase enzyme?
A lipase is an enzyme that cleaves triacylglycerols.
What is a phospholipase enzyme?
An enzyme that can cleave phospholipids.
Are fatty acids synthesised when blood glucose levels are high or low?
When they are high and glycogen stores are full.
Why are fatty acids synthesised when blood glucose levels are high?
So that blood glucose levels can be reduced.
What condition does fatty acid synthesis prevent?
Hyperglycaemia.
The synthesis of fatty acids is a way of storing what?
Energy.
Are lipids hydrophobic or hydrophilic?
Hydrophobic.
What kind of lipids are non polar?
Triacylglycerols (TAGs).
Cholesteryl esters.
What kind of lipids are amphipathic?
Fatty acids that have a negative charge.
Cholesterol.
Polar lipids that make up biological membranes.
What kind of tissue are lipids stored in?
In adipose tissue.
How does a human consume most of their lipids?
In the diet.
What are 2 dietary essential fatty acids?
Fatty acids of the ω3 and ω6 family.
What are the fatty acids of the ω3 and ω6 family required for?
Membrane fluidity.
They are used as a precursor to make other molecules.
ω3 fatty acids are used used to help protect the body against what?
To protect the body against cardiovascular disease and dementia.
Are TAGs polar or non polar?
Non polar.
How much of the diet do TAGs make up?
Around 40%.
What is the main storage form of fatty acids in adipose tissue?
TAGs.
What is structure of a TAG?
A 3 carbon glycerol backbone which bound to 3 fatty acid chains.
Why are fatty acids amphipathic?
Because they have a hydrophilic hydrocarbon chain and a polar hydroxyl group.
What is the structure of fatty acids?
They have a long carbohydrate chain that contains a carboxyl group.
What charge does a fatty acids carboxyl group have at physiological pH?
Negative.
Do natural fatty acids contain cis or trans double bonds?
Natural fatty acids contain cis bonds.
Are trans fats found in nature?
No.
Why can free fatty acids damage cell membranes?
Because they have detergent characteristics.
How is the detergent characteristics of free fatty acids reduced?
They are esterified into various molecules such as TAGs and cholesteryl esters.
What is the structure of a phospholipid?
They have a phosphoglycerol head that is bound to 2 fatty acid chains.
Is the phosphoglycerol head of a phospholipid polar or non polar?
It is polar and hydrophilic.
What is the structure of the plasma membrane?
It is made up of 2 layers of phospholipids.
How is the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane arranged?
The hydrophilic heads of the phospholipids will face out and the hydrophobic tails from both layers will be on the interior.
What is the name of the separation in the phospholipid bilayer?
Lipophilic separation
What covers the extracellular side of the plasma membrane?
The glycocalyx.
What is the glycocalyx made from?
Glycolipids and glycoproteins.
What is the function of the glycocalyx?
To protect the cell.
To help with cell-cell recognition.
Does the plasma membrane contain cholesterol?
Both layers of the plasma membrane will also contain free cholesterol.
What is the function of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?
It helps with membrane fluidity.
What is the main characteristic of phospholipids?
They contain phosphate.
What suffix will phospholipids that contain phosphatidic acid have?
Phosphatidyl.
What is the major component of cell membranes?
Phospholipids.
Do phospholipids contain a charge?
They are uncharged molecules.
What is the main characteristic of glycolipids?
They contain sugars.
What sugar do most glycolipids contain?
Sphingosine and are named sphingolipids.
How many carbons does cholesterol have?
27.
What is the only polar part of a cholesterol molecule?
A hydroxyl group.
How many ring structures does a cholesterol molecule have?
4.
What are the names of the rings in the cholesterol structure?
A,B,C and D.
What cholesterol ring has a double bond?
Ring B.
What are the 2 organs that will mainly synthesise cholesterol?
The liver.
The brain.
What will happen to people who cannot synthesise the double bond in ring B of cholesterol?
They will die.
How will free cholesterol arrange itself in the plasma membrane?
The hydroxyl group will be found as close as possible to the polar heads of the phospholipids.
The ring structures separate the fatty acid tails inside the bilayer.
What aspect of a cell membrane will cholesterol enhance?
Membrane fluidity.
How does cholesterol increase membrane fluidity?
The ring structures decrease the fluidity of membranes at the polar heads and increase fluidity at the tails.