Lipid Catabolism

50 flashcards summarizing key vocabulary and concepts related to Lipid Catabolism.

Lipid Catabolism

The metabolic pathways through which lipids are degraded to provide energy.

Glycerol

A three-carbon molecule that can be converted into glucose or used in lipid synthesis.

Dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP)

An intermediate in glycolysis that can be formed from glycerol.

Lipids

Organic compounds that are insoluble in water, including fats, oils, and waxes.

Fatty acids

Carboxylic acids with long hydrocarbon chains; they are major constituents of lipids.

Beta-oxidation

The metabolic process that breaks down fatty acids to produce acetyl CoA.

Acetyl CoA

A central molecule in metabolism that enters the Krebs cycle for further energy production.

Triacylglycerols (TAGs)

The main form of stored fat in adipose tissue.

Glycolysis

The process of converting glucose into pyruvate, yielding energy.

Pyruvic acid

The output of glycolysis, which can enter the Krebs cycle.

Krebs Cycle

A series of enzymatic reactions that produce energy through the oxidation of acetyl CoA.

Lipase

An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fats into fatty acids.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

A hormone that stimulates the digestion of fats and proteins.

Gallbladder

An organ that stores bile, which is used to emulsify fats.

Pancreatic lipase

An enzyme released by the pancreas that aids in fat digestion.

Emulsification

The process of breaking down fats into smaller droplets to enhance enzymatic action.

Chylomicrons

Lipoprotein particles that transport dietary lipids from the intestines to other locations in the body.

Adipose tissue

Body fat that serves as a major energy reserve.

Liver

An organ that processes nutrients and regulates metabolism.

Bile salts

Compounds derived from cholesterol that help in fat digestion.

Secretin

A hormone that regulates water homeostasis and neutralizes stomach acid in the small intestine.

Fatty acyl-CoA

A fatty acid that is bound to CoA, allowing it to enter metabolic pathways.

Carnitine

A molecule that transports fatty acids into the mitochondria for oxidation.

Beta-oxidation cycle

The series of reactions that degrade fatty acyl-CoA into acetyl CoA.

Ketogenesis

The process by which ketone bodies are produced from fatty acids in the liver.

Acetoacetate

A type of ketone body produced during ketogenesis.

Beta-hydroxybutyrate

A ketone body that serves as an alternative energy source.

Acetone

The simplest ketone that is produced during ketogenesis.

Lipoprotein lipase

An enzyme that breaks down triglycerides in lipoproteins.

Energy mobilization

The process of converting stored fats into usable energy.

NADH

A coenzyme that carries electrons during cellular respiration.

FADH2

A reduced form of flavin adenine dinucleotide, a key electron carrier.

Apolipoprotein

The protein component of lipoproteins that plays a role in lipid metabolism.

Cholesteryl ester

A form of cholesterol bound to fatty acids for storage in lipoproteins.

FFA

Free Fatty Acids; fatty acids that are not attached to other molecules.

Serum Albumin

A protein in blood plasma that transports fatty acids.

Mitochondria

Cellular organelles where fatty acid oxidation occurs.

Glycerol kinase

An enzyme that phosphorylates glycerol to dihydroxyacetone phosphate.

Glycogen

A stored form of glucose found in the liver and muscles.

Oxidation

A chemical reaction that involves the loss of electrons.

Hydration

The addition of water to a molecule, often part of a metabolic pathway.

Dehydrogenation

The removal of hydrogen from a molecule, often involved in metabolic processes.

Thiolysis

The cleavage of a bond by the addition of a thiol.

Acyltransferase

An enzyme that transfers acyl groups from one molecule to another.

Glycolysis and Gluconeogenesis

Glycolysis breaks down glucose, while gluconeogenesis synthesizes glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors.

Fatty Acid Activation

The conversion of fatty acids into fatty acyl-CoA prior to oxidation.