Lipids 1 Flashcards
What are lipids?
- Heterogeneous organic molecules
- Insoluble in water
What are some of the functions of lipids?
- Stores of energy
- Structural elements of membranes
- Enzyme cofactors
- Hormone function
- Vitamins A, D, E, K
- Signalling molecules
Describe the classification of lipids
Fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, glycolipids, steroids
Describe the transition temp of unsaturated fats
Low TT - typically found as liquids
Describe the transition temp of saturated fats
High TT - typically found as solids
Humans cannot introduce double (C=C) bonds past the ninth carbon of a fatty acid chain - how do we get them? What are they called?
Essential fatty acids - ingested
What are the effects of omega-3 fatty acids
Lowers plasma cholesterol, prevents atherosclerosis and lowers [triglyceride]
What do omega-6 fatty acids do?
The same as omega-3 but less effective
What is the main dietary lipid?
TAGs
What is the main site of lipid digestion in the body?
Small intestine
Lipid digestion is promoted from what enzymes and aided by what two processes?
Pancreatic enzymes (lipases) promoted by emulsification by bile salts and peristalsis (mechanical mixing)
What are bile salts?
Biological detergents derived from cholesterol
Products of lips digestion include what?
Micelles (spherical lipid droplets in aqueous environments with bile salts)
How are free fatty acids transported in the blood?
In a complex with albumin
Chylomicrons are what?
Digested fatty acids bound to apoB-48 protein to be transported in the blood
