Review Flashcards on Fat and Cholesterol

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on fat synthesis, transport, cholesterol, and lipoproteins.

Fat Resynthesis

The process of synthesizing fat from fatty acids and glycerol in adipose tissue for storage.

Fatty Acid Synthesis

The liver pathway that converts excess carbohydrates and acetyl CoA into fatty acids and then into triacylglycerol for distribution.

Lipoproteins

Molecules that transport fats, triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and proteins through the bloodstream.

Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)

Lipoproteins produced in the liver, full of triacylglycerol, that transport fat to muscles and adipose tissue.

Lipoprotein Lipase

Enzyme that cleaves fatty acids from lipoproteins in the bloodstream, allowing cells to take them up.

Beta Oxidation

The process where fatty acids are oxidized to produce energy.

Insulin

A hormone that signals the body to store glucose as glycogen and convert carbohydrates into fats.

Insulin's Effect on Adipose Tissue

Adipose tissue takes up glucose and fatty acids for storage.

Glucagon

A hormone that signals the body to release stored fats from adipose tissue for fuel.

Protein Kinase A

Breaks down stored fat by phosphorylating hormone-sensitive lipase.

Hormone Sensitive Lipase

Breaks down stored fat by cleaving fatty acids, releasing them to fuel the body.

Albumin Proteins

Proteins that carry fatty acids in the bloodstream after they are released from adipose tissue.

G Protein Coupled Receptors

Receptors that perceive external stimuli and change metabolic pathways inside cells; important targets for drug design.

G Coupled Receptor Signaling

A general scheme involving a receptor, G proteins, and adenylyl cyclase to produce cyclic AMP.

Adenylyl Cyclase

Converts ATP into cyclic AMP, a secondary messenger, during G coupled receptor signaling.

Serum Albumin

Carries fatty acids in our bloodstream

Amphiphilic Cholesterol

Has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties due to its hydroxyl group, making it essential for cell membranes.

Cholesterol's Role

Functions include cell membrane structure, precursor to bile salts, and hormone synthesis.

Cholesterol Elimination

Only way to eliminate cholesterol from body is to excrete it.

Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)

Bad cholesterol

High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)

Good cholesterol

Triglycerides and Cholesterol Acids

Enzymatic processes and lipid exchange can withdraw these molecules.

Chylomicron Remnants

Smaller lipoproteins that are eventually taken up by the liver.

VLDL Particles

Liver packages fats up into these and delivers them where they are needed.

Cholesterol

Cells utilize this in their membranes.

Foam Cells

Fat filled macrophages that settle on the walls of our arteries.

LDL

They express this receptor to aid clearance of LDL.

Statins

Inhibit HMG CoA reductase.