Chemistry of Fatty Acids and Cholesterol

These flashcards cover key concepts related to fatty acid metabolism and cholesterol based on the lecture notes provided.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with one or more double bonds, leading to fewer ATP production during oxidation due to already being more oxidized.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with no double bonds, which are more reduced and produce more ATP through oxidation reactions.

NADPH

A reducing agent required for reactions involving the reduction of double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids.

Ketone Bodies

Compounds made from acetyl-CoA that serve as an alternative fuel source during low carbohydrate availability.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase

An enzyme that synthesizes malonyl-CoA from acetyl-CoA, crucial for fatty acid synthesis.

Malonyl-CoA

A substrate for fatty acid synthesis that also inhibits fatty acid transport into mitochondria.

Fatty Acid Degradation

Occurs in the mitochondrial matrix, requiring coenzyme A as an acyl carrier and generating NADH and ubiquinol.

Fatty Acid Synthesis

Occurs in the cytosol, using acyl-carrier protein as a carrier and requires NADPH; more ATP intensive.

Citrate

Stimulates fatty acid synthesis by activating acetyl-CoA carboxylase.

Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Synthesis

Substances such as malonyl-CoA and palmitic acid that inhibit key enzymes in fatty acid synthesis.

Metabolic Fates of Cholesterol

Includes incorporation into membranes, acylation to cholesteryl esters, precursor for steroid hormones, and bile acids.