Liver and Adipose tissue lecture Flashcards
What are the four functions of adipose tissue?
Mechanical cushioning
Thermal insulation
Energy Store
Endocrine Organ
Why do children need more brown adipose tissue than adults?
Children have a higher SA:V ratio
What is the fat related function of white adipose tissue?
Controlled storage and release of fat
What cell type does brown adipose tissue develop from?
Muscle cell progenitors
How are fatty acids stored?
Converted into triglycerides
Mainly found in adipose tissue
Can also be found in the liver and muscle
What is the structure of triglycerides?
A molecule of glycerol and three fatty acid chains, that each join to G by ester bonds
Fatty acid chains tend to be saturated
What is the oxygen demand of the adipocyte?
Very low oxygen demand
What percentage of body weight tends to be white adipose tissue?
20%
In the fed state what is the process of fat metabolism in the white adipose tissue?
FA transported to adipose tissue by blood from the liver in VLDL.
Glucose is also transported to adipose tissue
In the adipose tissue glycerol and FA combine to form TG, for storage
This is an anabolic process regulated by insulin.
In the fast state what is the process of fat metabolism in the white adipose tissue?
TG are broken down into FA and glyercol by HSL (Hormone sensitive lipase).
Fatty acids bind to albumin to be transported back to the liver in the blood - then converted to Acetyl-CoA (beta oxidation) as a source for gluconeogenesis.
Glycerol can also be converted to glucose in the liver.
This is a catabolic process regulated by adrenalin and glucagon
What is the role of the liver in FA metabolism in the fast state?
FA enter from adipose tissue - undergoe beta oxidation to produce Acetyl-CoA to enter Krebs
Acetyl-CoA may also be converted to pyruvate (then glucose).
Acetyl-CoA can be converted into ketones if Krebs is saturated
What is the role of ketone bodies in FA metabolism?
Reversible - made from acetyl-CoA (product of beta oxidation)
Increases levels of beta oxidation
Is stimulated by fasting, high fat diet, vigorous exercise, excess alcohol and lack on insulin.
What is the role of muscle in FA metabolism in the fasted state?
Uses FA and ketone bodies for energy production (preserves glucose for the brain)
Also used in times of increased demand such as high intensity exercise
What is the Cori cycle in the muscle?
Glucose enters the muscle
By anaerobic respiration is converted to pyruvate then lactate.
Lactate is recyled back to the liver where is can to restored back to pyruvate then glucose (repeate cycle) or acetyl CoA.
What is the precursor cell for white adipose tissue?
Fibroblast-like precursor cell - recieves hormones that trigger to develop into adpicoytes.
Explain the process by which mature fat cells develop?
Develop from a fibroblast-like precursor cell
Gene expression is alters and beings to accumulate lipid droplets
Lipid droplets accumulate and merge to form a mature fat cell with one large lipid droplet and a peripheral nuclei.
Mature fat cells can not proliferate but the stages in development are reversible.
What changes occur in white adipose tissue when a person gains weight?
Cells increase in size (hypertrophy)
New cells are made
There is no upper limit to the amount of white adipose tissue a person can have
What is the thrifty gene hypothesis of obesity trends?
Certain groups are more likely to be obese as their genes predispose them to be good at storing adipose tissue.
Historically would have been evolutionary advantagous to store lots of fat during summer to prepare for lack of harvest over winter.
However, in modern times when food is readily available this is causing a rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
How do adipocytes change in obesity?
Modest weight gain - lipid droplet and cell increases in size until maximum size is reached
More weight gain - recruit pre-adipocytes to differentiate, the number of adipocytes increases
Process repeats