Lipids Q1 Flashcards
Fatty acid vs Lipid
Fatty Acid is a carboxylic acid with a long hydrocarbon chain.
Lipid is one or more fatty acids connected to a linker molecule IE glycerol, sphingosine and glycerophosphate.
Which lipids are used for storage and which are used for membranes?
Triacylglycerols are neutral and used for storage.
Phospholipids (glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids) and glycolipids (sphingolipids and galactolipids) are polar and used for membranes.
What are the 3 major membrane lipids?
Phospholipids, sphingolipids and glycolipids.
What is a key characteristic to sterols?
Two, six carbon rings and one, five carbon ring.
What are some functions of lipids?
Act as hormones, cell surface markers, inflammatory mediators (drive inflammation and its resolution)
What are the three inflammatory lipids and their precursor?
Prostaglandins, Thromboxanes and leukotrienes. They are produced from Arachidonate. These are the lipids with signaling properties.
How do anti-inflammatory drugs function?
They work by blocking the COX 1 and 2 which in turn stops Arachidonate from turning into the inflammatory lipids.
Where is cholesterol located?
In the membrane. Increases the membrane rigidity.
