BioChem Merged Lipids-Metabolism-NucleicAcids

Lipids

Macromolecules made of fatty acid monomers that are insoluble or poorly soluble in water and soluble in non-polar solvents.

Energy-storage lipids

Lipids such as triacylglycerol (TAG's) that serve as a storage form of energy.

Membrane lipids

Lipids such as phospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol that make up the cell membrane.

Emulsification lipids

Lipids such as bile acids that aid in the digestion and absorption of fats.

Messenger lipids

Lipids such as steroid hormones and eicosanoids that act as signaling molecules in the body.

Protective coating lipids

Lipids such as biological waxes that provide a protective coating on surfaces.

Saponification reaction

A hydrolysis reaction that occurs in basic solution, used to classify lipids into saponifiable and non-saponifiable categories.

Saponifiable lipids

Lipids such as triacylglycerol, phospholipids, sphingolipids, and biological waxes that can be broken down into smaller molecules through hydrolysis.

Non-saponifiable lipids

Lipids such as cholesterol, steroid hormones, bile acids, and eicosanoids that cannot be broken down into smaller units through hydrolysis.

Fatty Acids (FA)

Aliphatic mono-carboxylic acids obtained from the hydrolysis of natural fats and oils.

Short chain fatty acids

Fatty acids with 4-6 carbon atoms.

Medium chain fatty acids

Fatty acids with 8-10 carbon atoms.

Long chain fatty acids

Fatty acids with 12-26 carbon atoms.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with all carbon-carbon bonds being single bonds.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.

Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA)

Unsaturated fatty acids with one carbon-carbon double bond.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA)

Unsaturated fatty acids with two or more carbon-carbon double bonds.

Omega 3 fatty acids

Fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that have a double bond at the third carbon from the omega end.

Omega 6 fatty acids

Fatty acids such as linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) that have a double bond at the sixth carbon from the omega end.

Omega 9 fatty acids

Fatty acids such as oleic acid and erucic acid that have a double bond at the ninth carbon from the omega end.

Butyric acid

A fatty acid produced by the breakdown of dietary fiber in the gut and found in animal fats and vegetable oils.

Lauric acid

A fatty acid used for treating viral infections and found in foods like coconut oil.

MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides)

Triglycerides composed of medium chain fatty acids.

Monounsaturated fat

A fat or fatty acid with only one double bond in its molecular structure.

Polyunsaturated fat

A fat or fatty acid with more than one double bond in its molecular structure.

Energy Storage Lipids

TRIACYLGLYCEROLS - Function within the body as energy-storage materials, concentrated primarily in special cells (adipocytes) that are nearly filled with the material.

TAG (Triacylglycerol)

A compound composed of glycerol and three fatty acids, also known as a triglyceride.

Fats

A naturally occurring mixture of TAG molecules that is solid at room temperature, generally obtained from animal sources.

Oils

A naturally occurring mixture of TAG molecules that is liquid at room temperature, generally obtained from plant sources.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)

Fatty acids needed in the human body that must be obtained from dietary sources because they cannot be synthesized within the body in adequate amounts.

Olestra

A fat substitute that adds no calories to products, used in the preparation of high-fat foods to lower or eliminate their fat content.

Saponification

The hydrolysis of a fat or oil under basic conditions, resulting in the formation of glycerol and soap.

Micelles

Highly negatively charged structures formed by soap molecules in water, responsible for the cleansing action of soap.

Phospholipids

Important molecules that are vital components of cell membranes, providing flexibility and fluidity.

Glycerophospholipids

A type of phospholipid found in cell membranes, including lecithin and cephalin.

Sphingolipids

The second largest class of phospholipids, containing sphingosine and fatty acids joined by an amide linkage.

Ceramides

Important structural components of the epidermis, forming a barrier between the external environment and the internal body.

Sphingomyelin

A lipid found in the plasmalemma composed of a long chain sphingoid base backbone, a fatty acid, and a phosphocholine head group.

Myelin sheath

A coating surrounding nerve cells that increases the speed of nerve impulses and insulates and protects the nerve cells.

Glycolipids

Glycoconjugates of lipids found on the extracellular face of eukaryotic cellular membranes, maintaining stability of the membrane and facilitating cell-cell interactions.

Cerebrosides

Ceramide monosaccharides found in the brain and myelin sheath, important in cellular recognition and tissue immunity.

Gangliosides

Acidic glycosphingolipids containing oligosaccharides with terminal, charged N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA).

Hydrogenation

The process of adding hydrogen to an unsaturated fat, making it partially or fully saturated.

Lard

A saturated animal fat traditionally used in baked goods.

Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils

Vegetable oils that have undergone hydrogenation, replacing lard in many processed foods.

Trans fat

A type of fat formed through the process of hydrogenation, associated with negative health effects.

Sodium caseinate

A protein derived from milk often used as a food additive.

Dipotassium phosphate

A salt used as a food additive to moderate coffee acidity.

Sucralose

A non-nutritive sweetener used as a sugar substitute.

Diglycerides

A type of fat used as an emulsifier in food products.

Yeast

A type of fungus used in baking and fermentation processes.

Oxidation

The process in which the carbon-carbon double bonds in fatty acid residues are broken, producing aldehyde and carboxylic acid products.

Rancid

Fats and oils that have become _________ have objectionable odors due to the production of short chain aldehydes and carboxylic acids.

Antioxidants

Substances that are more easily oxidized than food and are added to commercially prepared foods containing fats and oils to prevent unwanted oxidation.

Cholesterol

A molecule present in mammalian membranes that reduces membrane fluidity and permeability to some solutes.

Bile

A substance made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps with the digestion, absorption, and excretion of fats.

Emulsifier

A substance that can disperse and stabilize water-insoluble substances as colloidal particles in an aqueous solution.

Bile acids

Cholesterol derivatives that function as lipid-emulsifying agents in the digestive tract.

Bile salts

Bile acids that have been modified by the addition of glycine or taurine, and are more effective detergents than bile acids alone.

Bile salt deficiency

A condition that can occur if the gallbladder is removed, leading to a lack of bile salts needed for the digestion and absorption of fats.

Messenger lipids

Steroid hormones, eicosanoids, and prostaglandins that serve as biochemical substances produced by ductless glands for communication between tissues.

Steroid hormone

A hormone that is a cholesterol derivative and can cross directly through the cell membrane to bind to receptor proteins in the cytoplasm or nucleus of target cells.

Hormone-receptor complex

The complex formed when a steroid hormone binds to its receptor, serving as a transcription factor to promote or inhibit gene transcription and translation.

Sex hormones

Steroid hormones that control reproduction and secondary sex characteristics.

Adrenocorticoid hormones

Steroid hormones that regulate numerous biochemical processes in the body.

Androgens

Type of sex hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity.

Estrogens

Type of sex hormones that are important for sexual and reproductive development, mainly in women.

Estradiol

The predominant estrogen during reproductive years.

Mineralocorticoids

Adrenocorticoid hormones that control the balance of Na+ and K+ ions in cells and body fluids.

Glucocorticoids

Adrenocorticoid hormones that control glucose metabolism and counteract inflammation.

Glucocorticoid

Hormone that promotes carbohydrate metabolism and helps the body cope with long-term stressors.

Eicosanoids

Oxygenated C20-fatty acid derivatives that function as messenger lipids.

Prostaglandins

Lipids made at sites of tissue damage or infection that are involved in dealing with injury and illness.

Prostacyclins

Prostaglandin member of the eicosanoid family that inhibits platelet activation and is a vasodilator.

Thromboxanes

Vasoconstrictor and hypertensive agents that facilitate platelet aggregation.

Leukotrienes

Lipid mediators that play pivotal roles in acute and chronic inflammation and allergic diseases.

Arachidonic acid

Metabolic precursor for most eicosanoids.

Phospholipase A2

Enzyme that releases arachidonic acid from membrane lipids.

Cyclooxygenase

Enzyme involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that inhibit cyclooxygenase.

Corticosteroids

Steroid hormones that regulate protein synthesis.

Zafirlukast

Drug that inhibits leukotriene receptors.

Montelukast

Drug that inhibits leukotriene receptors.

Gut microbiota

The collection of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract.

Host liver cells

Cells in the liver that are part of the host organism.

Bile salt

A type of salt produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which helps in the digestion and absorption of fats.

Free amino acid

An amino acid that is not bound to other molecules and is available for use by the body.

Bile acid

A type of acid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which helps in the digestion and absorption of fats.

Biological wax

A type of wax that is synthesized by animals and plants and serves various functions, such as protection and water resistance.

Beeswax

A type of wax produced by bees, commonly used for constructing honeycombs.

Spermaceti

A wax-like substance found in the head of sperm whales.

Lanolin

A waxy substance derived from the wool of sheep, used for its water-repellent properties.

Plant waxes

Waxes derived from plants, used as a protective coating to prevent dehydration.

TCA Cycle

Also known as the citric acid cycle or Krebs cycle, it is a series of chemical reactions that occur in the mitochondria to generate energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Citric Acid Cycle

The first molecule formed during the TCA cycle is citrate or citric acid.

Krebs Cycle

Another name for the TCA cycle, named after its discoverer, Hans Krebs.

Isocitrate

An intermediate molecule in the citric acid cycle with three carboxyl groups.

Acetyl CoA

A molecule that enters the TCA cycle and is oxidized to produce energy.

Cellular respiration

The process by which cells convert nutrients into energy in the form of ATP.

NADH and FADH2

Reduced coenzymes produced in the TCA cycle that carry electrons to the electron transport chain for ATP production.