Fatty Acids and Their Roles

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to fatty acids, their structure, roles, and dietary impacts.

Fatty Acids

Carboxylic acids with long aliphatic chains that can be saturated or unsaturated.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that have no double bonds between carbon atoms, resulting in straight chains.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that contain one or more double bonds, causing bends in their structure.

Monounsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that have one double bond in the carbon chain.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that contain two or more double bonds in their structure.

Hydrogenation

A process that adds hydrogen atoms to unsaturated fats, converting them to more saturated forms.

Trans-Fatty Acids

Unsaturated fatty acids that have hydrogen atoms on opposite sides of the double bond, increasing health risks.

Triglycerides

Molecules composed of a glycerol backbone and three fatty acid chains; the main form of stored fat in the body.

Phospholipids

Lipids that have a glycerol backbone, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group, essential for forming cell membranes.

Cholesterol

A sterol that has a ring structure, important for hormone production and maintaining cell membrane structure.

Lipoproteins

Molecules that transport fats through the blood.

Chylomicrons

Lipoproteins that carry dietary fats from the intestine to the tissues.

VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein)

Lipoproteins that deliver triglycerides from the liver to tissues.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)

Lipoproteins that deliver cholesterol to cells and are considered 'bad' when elevated.

HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

Lipoproteins that return excess cholesterol from tissues to the liver and are known as 'good' cholesterol.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that are necessary for the body and must be obtained from the diet.

Linoleic Acid (omega-6)

An essential fatty acid found in vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid (omega-3)

An essential fatty acid found in flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds, and canola oil.

Dietary Recommendations for Fat Intake

A recommendation to keep total fat intake to 20-35% of daily calories and limit saturated fats to less than 10%.

Ways to Reduce Fat Intake

Strategies such as substituting saturated fats with unsaturated fats and limiting processed and fried foods.