Lipid Metabolism and Transport Flashcards
What is the primary focus of this pre-class introduction to lipid metabolism?
The primary focus of this pre-class introduction to lipid metabolism is to understand the role of dysregulated lipid metabolism in atherosclerotic disease.
What are lipids, and how do they behave in water?
Lipids are organic compounds that are poorly soluble in water. Lipids tend to be amphipathic, containing both hydrophobic (nonpolar) and polar (hydrophilic) regions.
What is the structure of a saturated fatty acid, and how does it differ from an unsaturated fatty acid?
A saturated fatty acid has a long carbon chain with no double bonds. An unsaturated fatty acid contains double bonds in its carbon chain, introducing kinks.
What are the primary functions of fatty acids in the body?
Fatty acids serve as a critical source of fuel, and they are used to create phospholipids and sphingolipids, which are essential building blocks in cell membranes.
What are essential fatty acids, and provide examples of them.
Essential fatty acids are fatty acids that must be ingested because the body cannot synthesize them. Examples include Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
What is the role of triglycerides in the body, and how are they transported in the bloodstream?
Triglycerides are a storage form of fuel and are transported in the bloodstream in the form of lipoprotein particles.
How are lipids carried in the bloodstream, and what is the function of serum albumin?
Lipids in the bloodstream can be carried as free fatty acids bound to serum albumin. Serum albumin is a protein that carries free fatty acids in the bloodstream.
What are lipoprotein particles, and how do they differ in terms of size and composition?
Lipoprotein particles are complex structures that carry lipids in the bloodstream. They differ in size and composition, with chylomicrons being the largest and HDL being the smallest and densest.
What are some examples of dyslipidemia, and how can it be associated with increased cardiovascular risk?
Dyslipidemia includes elevated total cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), elevated LDL cholesterol, reduced HDL cholesterol, and hypertriglyceridemia. Dyslipidemia is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Which of the following statements about lipids is correct?
a. Cholesterol is a critical fuel used for ATP production
b. Cholesterol esters consist of fatty acids joined to a glycerol backbone
c. Fatty acids are broken down for energy
d. Triglycerides are used as precursors for phospholipids
c. Fatty acids are broken down for energy
Which of the following pairs of lipids and their normal cellular locations is INACCURATE?
a. Cholesterol – found mainly in intracellular lipid droplets in hepatocytes
b. Fatty acids – found within the structures of phospholipids and other lipids in cell membranes
c. Triglycerides –found mainly in intracellular lipid droplets in adipocytes
d. Phospholipids – found as a major component of all cell membranes
Cholesterol – found mainly in intracellular lipid droplets in hepatocytes
Which of the following lipids is carried in the bloodstream bound to serum albumin?
a. Cholesterol
b. Cholesterol esters
c. Fatty acids
d. Phospholipids
e. Triglycerides
Fatty acids
Which type of lipoprotein particle is largest and least dense?
a. Chylomicron
b. VLDL
c. LDL
d. HDL
a. Chylomicron
Which of the following carry predominantly cholesterol esters and very little triglyceride?
a. Chylomicrons and VLDL
b. LDL and HDL
c. Serum albumin
b. LDL and HD
