Nutri Chpt 6 Understanding Lipids and Alcohol

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes regarding lipids and alcohol, covering key concepts, definitions, and their implications for health.

Lipids

A diverse group of compounds that are generally insoluble in water and include fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol.

Triglycerides

The most common type of lipid found in food and the body, composed of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone.

Phospholipids

Lipids that form cell membranes, with hydrophilic (water-attracting) heads and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails, often functioning as emulsifiers.

Sterols

A subgroup of lipids including cholesterol and hormones, characterized by a four-ring structure.

Saturated fatty acid

A fatty acid in which each carbon atom is fully saturated with hydrogen atoms, resulting in single bonds between carbon.

Unsaturated fatty acid

A fatty acid that contains one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, resulting in fewer hydrogen atoms.

Trans fats

Unsaturated fats that have been hydrogenated, resulting in a double bond configuration that can raise health risks.

Essential fatty acids

Fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet, such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Cholesterol

A sterol made by animals, including humans, used to produce hormones, vitamin D, and bile.

Chylomicron

A type of lipoprotein formed in the intestinal cells, responsible for transporting dietary lipids from the intestine to other locations in the body.

Lipoproteins

Molecules made of fat and protein that transport lipids in the bloodstream, including HDL, LDL, and VLDL.

Atherosclerosis

A disease process where lipid-containing plaques build up in arteries, potentially leading to cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

Developmental abnormalities in infants resulting from maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Alcohol dehydrogenase

An enzyme that metabolizes alcohol in the stomach and liver.

Binge drinking

The consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period, which can lead to serious health consequences.