Lipids and Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vocabulary flashcards covering the biological functions and characteristics of lipid classes and fat-soluble vitamins.

Triglycerides

Lipids that provide long-term energy storage, as well as protection and insulation of body organs.

Phospholipids

Lipids that serve as an essential component of cell membranes.

Cholesterol

A steroid that helps stabilize cell membranes and is necessary for many reactions within the cell.

Bile salts

Steroids that assist in fat digestion and absorption.

Lipid hormones

Steroids including sex hormones secreted by ovaries and testes, as well as adrenocortical hormones that influence blood pressure and fluid volume.

Prostaglandins

Lipoid substances that help regulate inflammation and tissue repair, regulate effects of several hormones, stimulate smooth muscle, inhibit gastric secretion, influence blood pressure, and affect platelet aggregation (clumping).

Lipoproteins

Lipoid substances that assist in the transportation of fatty acids to and from cells.

Vitamin A

A fat-soluble vitamin synthesized from carotenes and stored in the liver; essential for synthesis of visual pigments, mucoproteins, and mucopolysaccharides, normal development of bones and teeth, and maintenance of epithelial cells.

Vitamin D

A group of fat-soluble steroids produced when skin is exposed to ultraviolet light; stored in the liver, skin, brain, spleen, and bones, and promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus as well as development of teeth and bones.

Vitamin E

A group of fat-soluble compounds stored in muscles and adipose tissue; functions as an antioxidant, prevents oxidation of vitamin A and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and may help maintain stability of cell membranes.

Vitamin K

A fat-soluble vitamin stored in the liver that is required for the synthesis of prothrombin, which functions in blood clotting.