Fats and Lipids - Vocabulary Flashcards

50 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Basic Nutrition Module 7: Fats and Lipids.

Lipids

A broad group of organic compounds including fats, oils, and fat-like substances soluble in fat solvents.

Lipid

A broader term than fat; includes fats, oils, phospholipids, and sterols; hydrophobic and water-insoluble.

Fats

Energy-dense lipids, mainly triglycerides; provides about 9 kcal per gram and are usually solid at room temperature.

Oil

A fat that is liquid at room temperature.

Triglycerides

Esters of glycerol with three fatty acids; main dietary fat and major storage lipid in the body.

Fatty acids

Building blocks of fats; long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxyl group; hydrophobic.

Saturated fatty acids

Fatty acids with no carbon–carbon double bonds; typically solid at room temperature.

Palmitic acid

A common saturated fatty acid (16:0) found in fats and oils.

Stearic acid

A saturated fatty acid (18:0) found in many animal fats.

Oleic acid

A monounsaturated fatty acid (18:1) abundant in olive oil.

Monounsaturated fatty acids

Fatty acids with one double bond; usually liquid at room temperature; examples include oleic acid.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

Fatty acids with two or more double bonds; typically liquid; include omega-3 and omega-6.

Essential fatty acids

Fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be consumed in the diet.

Linoleic acid

An omega-6 essential fatty acid found in vegetable and nut oils.

Linolenic acid

An omega-3 essential fatty acid found in green leafy vegetables and certain oils.

Arachidonic acid

An omega-6 fatty acid (20:4) synthesized from linoleic acid.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Family of polyunsaturated fats (e.g., EPA, DHA) with heart and brain benefits.

Omega-6 fatty acids

Family of polyunsaturated fats (e.g., linoleic acid) essential for health.

EPA

Eicosapentaenoic acid; long-chain omega-3 fatty acid from fish oils.

DHA

Docosahexaenoic acid; long-chain omega-3 fatty acid important for brain and retina.

Hydrogenation

Chemical process adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats, increasing saturation and shelf life; can produce trans fats.

Trans fatty acids

Fats with trans double bonds formed during hydrogenation; associated with adverse health effects.

Phospholipids

Lipids with a phosphate group; amphipathic; form cell membranes and act as emulsifiers.

Lecithin

Phospholipid containing choline; abundant in egg yolk and liver.

Cephalin

Phospholipid associated with thrombosis; involved in blood coagulation.

Plasmalogen

A phospholipid variant important in membranes.

Phosphoglycerides

Phospholipids with a glycerol backbone; include lecithin and cephalin.

Sphingomyelin

Phospholipid containing sphingosine; found in myelin and membranes.

Glycolipids

Lipids with carbohydrate groups; include cerebrosides and gangliosides; involved in transport and membranes.

Cerebrosides

Glycolipids found in brain and nervous tissue.

Gangliosides

Glycolipids with complex carbohydrates; abundant in brain.

Sterols

Sterol-type lipids with a four-ring structure; cholesterol is the main animal sterol.

Cholesterol

A sterol present in animal cells and membranes; precursor to bile acids and steroid hormones; linked to heart disease risk when high.

Cholesterol esters

Esters of cholesterol with fatty acids.

Ergosterol

Plant sterol; vitamin D precursor.

Calciferol

Vitamin D precursor (calciferol) found in animals.

Phytosterols

Plant sterols that can lower blood cholesterol.

Short-chain fatty acids

Fatty acids with fewer than 6 carbon atoms.

Medium-chain fatty acids

Fatty acids with 6–10 carbon atoms.

Saturated fats

Fats composed mostly of saturated fatty acids; typically solid at room temperature.

Monounsaturated fats

Fats rich in MUFAs; typically liquid at room temperature but can solidify in cold.

Polyunsaturated fats

Fats rich in PUFAs; typically liquid at room temperature.

Chylomicrons

Lipoproteins that transport dietary triglycerides from the intestines to tissues; low density.

VLDL

Very low-density lipoprotein; carries endogenously produced triglycerides from liver to tissues; rich in triglycerides.

LDL

Low-density lipoprotein; carries cholesterol to tissues; high levels linked to atherosclerosis.

HDL

High-density lipoprotein; carries cholesterol back to liver for disposal; considered protective.

Lipoprotein lipase

Enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides in lipoproteins to fatty acids.

Bile acids

Acids produced by the liver to emulsify fats; help digestion and absorption.

Micelles

Emulsified fat droplets formed by bile around fatty acids and monoglycerides to aid absorption.

Enterohepatic circulation

Recycling of bile acids: reabsorption from the intestine back to the liver.