Module 7 ChatGPT Flashcards
What is the primary fuel used during overnight fasting
Fatty acids for cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, and liver
What is the role of bile salts in lipid digestion
Bile salts emulsify fats in the intestine, increasing their surface area for digestion by pancreatic enzymes
What are chylomicrons, and what is their function
Chylomicrons are lipoprotein particles that transport dietary lipids from the intestines to other tissues in the body
What enzyme activates fatty acids for metabolism and what is the product
Acetyl-CoA synthetase conversts FA to fatty acyl-CoA derivatives
What is the significance of carnitine in fatty acid metabolism
Carnitine transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for beta-oxidation
What is the role of Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I)
CPT I transfers fatty acyl groups from CoA to carnitine, enabling their transport into the mitochondria for oxidation
How is beta-oxidation regulated (4)
Fatty acids, ATP, NADH, and CPT I - (CPT 1 inhibited by malonyl-CoA)
What are ketone bodies, and when are they produced
Ketone bodies are produced during fasting when fatty acids are oxidized, and the acetyl-CoA generated exceeds the TCA cycle capacity
What is the role of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase in fatty acid metabolism
Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase converts acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA, the first step in fatty acid synthesis, and inhibits CPT I during fed states
How does the insulin/glucagon ratio affect ketogenesis
A decreased insulin/glucagon ratio during fasting inhibits acetyl-CoA carboxylase, lowering malonyl-CoA levels, which activates CPT I and promotes ketogenesis
What is the role of omega-oxidation in fatty acid metabolism
Omega-oxidation is a minor pathway that becomes more active when beta-oxidation is compromised, providing succinyl-CoA for the TCA cycle
What are the key features of Refsum disease
Refsum disease is a peroxisomal disorder caused by impaired alpha-oxidation of branched-chain fatty acids, leading to the accumulation of phytanic acid
What are the clinical symptoms of Refsum disease (6)
Vision loss
Anosmia
Bone abnormalities
Progressive muscle weakness
Ataxia
Dry, scaly skin (ichthyosis)
What is the primary difference between long-chain and very-long-chain fatty acid oxidation
Long-chain fatty acids are oxidized in mitochondria, while very-long-chain fatty acids are oxidized in peroxisomes
What is the role of the electron transport chain in fatty acid oxidation
The electron transport chain reoxidizes NADH and FADH2 produced during beta-oxidation, driving ATP synthesis
What are the two most common unsaturated fatty acids in the human diet
Oleate (C18:1) and linoleate (C18:2) are the most common unsaturated fatty acids in the diet
What is the function of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL)
LPL hydrolyzes triglycerides in chylomicrons and VLDL, releasing free fatty acids for uptake by tissues
What triggers the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue
Fatty acids are released from adipose tissue in response to hormones like glucagon and epinephrine during fasting
What is the role of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD)
MCAD catalyzes the first step in the beta-oxidation of medium-chain fatty acids, converting them to acetyl-CoA
What are the consequences of MCAD deficiency
MCAD deficiency leads to hypoglycemia and the accumulation of medium-chain fatty acids, which can cause metabolic crises during fasting
What are the steps involved in the activation of long-chain fatty acids
Long-chain fatty acids are activated by acyl-CoA synthetase, forming fatty acyl-CoA, which is then transported into mitochondria for oxidation
What is the significance of propionyl-CoA in odd-chain fatty acid oxidation
Propionyl-CoA, generated from odd-chain fatty acids, is converted to succinyl-CoA, which enters the TCA cycle and contributes to gluconeogenesis
What happens to fatty acids in the absence of oxygen
Without oxygen, fatty acids cannot undergo beta-oxidation, as it is an aerobic process, leading to a reliance on glucose for energy
What is the function of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in beta-oxidation
Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase catalyzes the first step in beta-oxidation, forming a trans-double bond between the alpha and beta carbons of the fatty acyl-CoA
What is the impact of a deficiency in CPT II (3)
CPT II deficiency impairs the transfer of fatty acyl-CoA into the mitochondrial matrix, leading to muscle weakness, pain, and myoglobinuria during exercise
What are the clinical features of carnitine deficiency (3)
Carnitine deficiency leads to muscle weakness, hypoglycemia, and cardiomyopathy due to impaired fatty acid transport into mitochondria
What is the role of peroxisomes in fatty acid metabolism
Peroxisomes are responsible for the beta-oxidation of very-long-chain fatty acids and branched-chain fatty acids, which are then shortened for further metabolism in mitochondria
What is the significance of malonyl-CoA in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism
Malonyl-CoA inhibits CPT I, preventing the transport of fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation during the fed state
What is the function of thiolase in beta-oxidation
Thiolase catalyzes the final step in beta-oxidation, cleaving the fatty acyl-CoA to produce acetyl-CoA and a shortened fatty acyl-CoA
What is the role of albumin in fatty acid transport
Albumin binds and transports free fatty acids in the blood from adipose tissue to other tissues for oxidation
What are the consequences of a deficiency in very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) (3)
VLCAD deficiency impairs the oxidation of very-long-chain fatty acids, leading to hypoglycemia, muscle weakness, and cardiomyopathy
What are ketone bodies, and why are they important during fasting
Ketone bodies are produced from acetyl-CoA during fasting and serve as an alternative energy source for the brain and other tissues when glucose is scarce
What is the difference between alpha-oxidation and beta-oxidation of fatty acids
Alpha-oxidation occurs in peroxisomes and is involved in the metabolism of branched-chain fatty acids, while beta-oxidation occurs in mitochondria and breaks down straight-chain fatty acids
What is the role of omega-oxidation in fatty acid metabolism
Omega-oxidation provides an alternative pathway for the oxidation of fatty acids, particularly when beta-oxidation is impaired
What are the major products of beta-oxidation
The major products of beta-oxidation are acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH2, which enter the TCA cycle and electron transport chain to generate ATP
What is the role of Coenzyme A in fatty acid metabolism
Coenzyme A activates fatty acids to form acyl-CoA, which is required for their subsequent metabolism in beta-oxidation and other pathways
What happens to fatty acids that cannot be immediately oxidized
Fatty acids that cannot be oxidized are re-esterified into triglycerides for storage in adipose tissue
What is the clinical significance of fatty acid oxidation disorders
Fatty acid oxidation disorders can lead to severe metabolic crises, including hypoglycemia, muscle weakness, and cardiomyopathy, particularly during fasting or illness
What are the primary sources of fatty acids for oxidation
Fatty acids for oxidation primarily come from dietary fats and triglycerides stored in adipose tissue
What is the role of mitochondrial trifunctional protein in fatty acid oxidation
Mitochondrial trifunctional protein catalyzes the last three steps of beta-oxidation for long-chain fatty acids
What is the role of the liver in ketone body synthesis
The liver produces ketone bodies from acetyl-CoA during periods of fasting or low carbohydrate intake, providing an alternative energy source for other tissues
What triggers the onset of beta-oxidation in tissues
Beta-oxidation is triggered by hormonal signals such as glucagon and epinephrine, which promote the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue
What are the main regulatory factors of beta-oxidation
Beta-oxidation is regulated by the availability of fatty acids, the NADH/NAD+ ratio, and the activity of key enzymes such as CPT I
What is the role of NADH and FADH2 in fatty acid metabolism
NADH and FADH2 generated during beta-oxidation are used in the electron transport chain to produce ATP
What happens to acetyl-CoA produced during beta-oxidation
Acetyl-CoA produced during beta-oxidation can enter the TCA cycle for ATP production or be converted to ketone bodies in the liver
What is the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in fatty acid metabolism
AMPK activates beta-oxidation by inhibiting acetyl-CoA
What are the main functions of lipids in the body
Lipids provide energy storage, insulation, cellular structure, and signaling.”
What is the role of fatty acids in metabolism
Fatty acids are oxidized to produce ATP or stored as triglycerides for energy.”
What are triglycerides composed of
Triglycerides are composed of three fatty acids esterified to a glycerol backbone.”
How are triglycerides transported in the blood
Triglycerides are transported in the blood within lipoproteins like chylomicrons and VLDL.”
What enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of triglycerides
Lipoprotein lipase breaks down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol.”