Lipids - Theory Flashcards
Define a lipid
An organic substance (carbon containing) which is poorly soluble in water, but which is soluble in organic solvents or oils
Where do we find lipids?
(3)
Found in cell membranes
Stored in adipocytes - distributed through the body
Fat sores
What are two major fat stores in humans
Subcutaneous
Internal (visceral/retroperitoneal)
What are the two types of internal fat
Visceral
Retroperitoneal
Comment on the recommended ratio between internal and external lipid
Young healthy person should have 2 litres of internal fat out of a total 20 litres
Realistically how much internal fat do women have?
3 litres of internal fat for a total of 37 litres
Realistically how much internal fat do men have
5 litres out of 35 litres
Realistically how much internal fat do men have
5 litres out of 35 litres
List the four types of lipids found in plasma
Steroids
Triacylglycerols
Fatty acids
Bioactive lipids
List the three types of steroid lipids found in circulation
Cholesterol
Estrogen
Testosterone
Give five examples of fatty acids found in circulation
Palmitate
Oleata
Linoleate
Linolenate
Docosahaeneoate
List five bioactive lipids found in circulation
Prostaglandins
Eicosanoids
Plasmalogens
Isoprostanes
Leukotrienes
What are triacylglycerols composed of?
Three acyl chains joined to one glycerol molecule by ester linkages
Write about cholesterol
A 27 carbon sterol molecule
Rigid nucleus and flexible 8 carbon side chain
Describe the absorption of lipids
(4)
Lipids enter the enterocyte at the lumenal side
Lipids are processed within the enterocyte and loaded onto transport particles called chylomicrons
These are secreted from the basolateral side of enterocyte into the lymph
These pass through the lymph system and enter the systemic circulation at the thoracic duct
What can happen to body fluids after ingestion of a high fat meal?
(2)
They can become opaque
Lipemic serum
Lipids are hydrophobic and cannot dissolve in the blood plasma, we need some way to get them through the blood, how do we do this?
Through the use of lipoproteins
These act as taxi caps - transporters to carry lipids through circulation
What are lipoproteins
Complexes of protein and lipids
What are lipoproteins composed of
(3)
Cargo lipids - sequestered in the hydrophobic core
Amphiphatic phospholipids - these form a layer around the lipid cargo and allow the particle to dissolve in circulation
Apolipoproteins - these define the properties of the lipoprotein
Classify Lipoproteins
(5)
Chylomicron and chylomicron remnant (1000nm/largest)
Very Low Density Lipoprotein
Intermediate Density Lipoprotein
Low Density Lipoprotein
High Density Lipoprotein (10nm)
What is considered the good type of lipoprotein
HDL
Why do lipoproteins exist
(2)
They act as a biochemical mechanism for distribution of hydrophobic cargo in an aqueous environment
Transport of cholesterol, TAGs, Fat-soluble vitamins, xenobiotics, phytochemicals, pharmaceuticals
What are the two systems of lipoprotein metabolism?
Distribution of exogenous lipids
Distrubition of endogenous lipids
What is the common structure in all lipoproteins?
Outer monolayer of amphiphatic lipids
Inner cargo of highly hydrophobic lipids e.g. TAGs
Integral and peripheral proteins (apolipoproteins)
What are amphiphatic lipids?
Lipids that are hydrophilic at one end and hydrophobic at the other end
e.g. phospholipids or some cholesterols
How are lipoproteins calssified
According to density and electrophoretic mobility
What is low density lipoprotein composed of
Unesterified cholesterol
Phospholipid
Cholesteryl ester
Apoprotein B-100
Which lipoprotein contains the most triglyceride
Chylomicrons
Which liporotein contains the most cholesterol
HDL
Which lipoprotein contains the least cholesterol
VLDL
Which lipoprotein contains the most protein
HDL
What is the primary source of chylomicrons
Gut