Fatty Acid Metabolism Lecture

These flashcards cover major concepts from the lecture on fatty acid metabolism, including structures, processes, and regulatory mechanisms.

What are the three major goals of the lecture on fatty acid metabolism?

Describe the structure of fatty acids, explain the mobilization of triacylglycerols, and describe beta-oxidation processes.

What is the primary function of lipids in biological systems?

Lipids are primarily hydrophobic and serve important roles in membranes, signaling, and energy storage.

What is the process to mobilize fatty acids from storage?

Mobilization is initiated by hormones like glucagon and epinephrine that activate lipases to release free fatty acids and glycerol.

What is the structure of palmitic acid?

Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid consisting of 16 carbons.

What is the primary product of fatty acid synthesis?

The primary product of fatty acid synthesis is palmitic acid (C16).

What occurs during the beta-oxidation pathway?

The goal of beta-oxidation is to make Acetyl CoA, NADH, and FADH2 from fatty acids.

Describe the risk associated with the breakdown of triacylglycerides.

Breakdown involves the action of lipases which release free fatty acids and glycerol into the bloodstream.

What enzymes are involved in the elongation process of fatty acid biosynthesis?

Acetyl CoA and malonyl CoA react with acyl carrier protein, utilizing various reducing and dehydrating enzymes.

How do insulin and glucagon regulate lipid metabolism?

Insulin promotes lipid storage while glucagon promotes lipid breakdown during fasting.

Why is the hydrophobic nature of fatty acids important?

It allows for efficient storage and membrane formation, requiring less water compared to other storage forms.