Lipids Part 1 Flashcards
What are lipids? Are they hydrophobic?
Macromolecules made of fatty acid monomers
Insoluble in water
Nonpolar
Hydrophobic
What are lipids precursors of?
Vitamins and hormones
Bile acid (aid in lipid absorption and digestion)
What are the functions of lipids (part 1)?
Energy storage/source
Membrane component
Hydrophobic anchors
Signaling molecules (eicosanoids)
Regulators
What are the functions of lipids (part 2)?
Light absorbing pigments (retina)
Electron carriers
Enzymes cofactors
Waterproofing/lubricating
Insulation
Cushioning
What are the two functional groups of lipids? What do they branch off into?
Fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated)
Glycerides (neutral glycerides vs phosphoglycerides)
What are fatty acids composed of?
Carboxylic acid with carbohydrates group (COOH) at one end and methyl group (CH3) at other end of hydrocarbon tail.
What is an aliphatic hydrocarbon tail?
Open chain structure (not a ring), aromatic
Can be saturated or unsaturated
Describe saturated fatty acids.
Straight carbon chains
Single carbon-carbon bonds
Solid at room temperature
Packed together, solid
Where are saturated fats usually found?
Animal products (butter)
Describe unsaturated fats.
One or more double bonds/triple bond between carbons
Kink in the chain
Liquid at room temperature
Arranged loosely
Where are unsaturated fats usually found?
Plant products
(Vegetable oil)
What causes the kink in a fatty acid?
Double or triple bonds within the carbon chain
What are essential fatty acids and what are some examples?
Fatty acids that are required for biological processes but not synthesized in the body.
Omega 3 fatty acid (salmon)
Omega 6 fatty acid
What is an example of a polyunsaturated fatty acid?
Omega 3
Connected to neighboring carbon by double bond
What is arachidonic acid? Where can it be found? What is it the basis for?
Omega 6 fatty acid
Found in phospholipids
Basis for eicosanoids
What are eicosanoids?
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Signaling molecules to impact cells of origin and cells around it (endocrine functions)
Play a role in physiological processes
What are three examples of eicosanoids?
Prostaglandins
Thromboxanes
Leukotrienes
Describe prostaglandins. What processes do they affect?
Regulate synthesis of intracellular cAMP
Derive from prostate gland
Affect blood flow, wake-sleep cycle, response to hormones, elevate body temp and cause inflammation and pain
Describe thromboxanes.
Produced by platelets
Act in formation of blood clots and reduce blood flow to site of clot
