Classification of Fatty Acids Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What do lipids constitute?

A heterogenous group of compounds of biochemical importance.

What is the solubility of lipids in water and non-polar solvents?

Relatively insoluble in water but freely soluble in non-polar solvents such as benzene, chloroform, ether, hot alcohol, and acetone.

What are fatty acids derived from?

Lipids.

What is hydrolysis of oils and fats?

<p>The operation in which ethanolic KOH reacts with oil to form glycerol and fatty acids.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common component of lipids?

<p>Fatty acid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structure do fatty acids have?

<p>A single carboxyl group and a long, non-polar hydrocarbon tail.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fatty acids are found in a free state in nature.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

Free fatty acids in humans are formed during metabolism.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does COOH represent in fatty acids?

<p>The functional group that determines chemical properties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the R group in fatty acids determine?

<p>The physical properties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are triglycerides produced?

<p>By the esterification of fatty acids to glycerol.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which fatty acids are the most abundant in the human body?

<p>Palmitic acid and stearic acid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are acetic and butyric acid considered?

<p>Important metabolic intermediates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Polyunsaturated fatty acids exhibit geometric isomerism.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many double bonds does linoleic acid have?

<p>2 double bonds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Most unsaturated fatty acids are stable trans isomers.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cis isomers of fatty acids bend.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Trans isomers of fatty acids do not bend.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are linoleic and linolenic acids considered essential fatty acids?

<p>Because the human body cannot synthesize them and they need to be obtained from the diet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can the body synthesize oleic acid?

<p>From stearic acid by inserting a double bond at position 9.</p> Signup and view all the answers

From what can arachidonic acid be synthesized?

<p>From linoleic acid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the alpha carbon in fatty acids?

<p>Carbon 2.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the beta carbon in fatty acids?

<p>Carbon 3.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the terminal methyl carbon referred to in fatty acids?

<p>Omega carbon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many carbon atoms do eicosanoids contain?

<p>20 carbon atoms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are eicosanoids?

<p>Fatty acid derivatives with a variety of extremely potent hormone-like actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

From what are eicosanoids derived?

<p>From arachidonic acid, which is a precursor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Into how many groups are eicosanoids classified?

<p>Two</p> Signup and view all the answers

All eicosanoids function locally at the site of synthesis.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three sources of fatty acids?

<ol> <li>Diet. 2. Essential fatty acids.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What activates phospholipase A2?

<p>Histamine, cytokines.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the synthetic analogue of PGE1 used for?

<p>Preventing gastric acid in patients treated with aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Prostaglandin I opposes the action of thromboxane.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What cell types synthesize leukotrienes?

<p>Several different cell types including leukocytes, mast cells, lungs, spleen, brain, heart.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which processes are leukotrienes mainly seen?

<p>Inflammatory processes of the lungs including asthmatic reactions and inflammation associated with bronchitis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the half-life of prostaglandin?

<p>5 minutes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Leukotrienes survive for some hours in tissue.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are leukotrienes responsible for in asthma?

<p>Protracted bronchoconstriction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Zileuton used for?

<p>It is an inhibitor of the enzyme 5-lipooxygenase used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What class do Montelukast and Zafirlukast belong to?

<p>Leukotriene receptor antagonists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lipids and Fatty Acids

  • Lipids are a diverse group of compounds vital to biochemistry.
  • They are hydrophobic, being insoluble in water but soluble in non-polar solvents like benzene and ether.
  • Fatty acids are a primary component of lipids and are derived lipids.
  • Hydrolysis involves reactions where ethanolic KOH interacts with oils to produce glycerol and fatty acids.
  • Most fatty acids combine with glycerol to form triglycerides; they do not exist freely in nature.

Structure and Classification of Fatty Acids

  • Each fatty acid has one carboxyl group and a non-polar hydrocarbon tail, contributing to their hydrophobic nature.
  • The carboxyl group (COOH) is the functional group that defines chemical properties, while the hydrocarbon chain (R group) influences physical properties.
  • Triglycerides are created through the esterification process between glycerol and fatty acids.
  • Palmitic and stearic acids are the most prevalent fatty acids in the human body.

Essential Fatty Acids and Metabolism

  • Acetic and butyric acids are key metabolic intermediates.
  • Polyunsaturated fatty acids can exhibit geometric isomerism at double bonds.
  • Linoleic acid contains two double bonds and is essential since humans cannot synthesize it.
  • Most unsaturated fatty acids primarily exist as unstable cis isomers instead of stable trans isomers.
  • Cis isomers are curved, whereas trans isomers remain straight.

Synthesis and Function of Fatty Acids

  • Oleic acid can be synthesized from stearic acid, but humans cannot create linoleic or linolenic acids beyond the ninth carbon.
  • Arachidonic acid can be synthesized from linoleic acid, which serves as a precursor for various eicosanoids.
  • Eicosanoids are defined by having twenty carbon atoms and exhibit hormone-like actions locally where they are synthesized.

Eicosanoids and Their Role

  • Eicosanoids are classified into two categories: prostanoids and leukotrienes.
  • They function primarily at their synthesis sites, affecting local physiological processes.
  • Three primary sources of fatty acids include dietary intake, essential fatty acids, and body synthesis.
  • Activators of phospholipase A2 include histamine and cytokines.

Pharmacological Implications

  • Misoprostol, a synthetic PGE1 analogue, is utilized to protect against gastric acid in patients using aspirin or NSAIDs.
  • Prostaglandin I counteracts thromboxane actions.
  • Leukotrienes are synthesized in various cell types and play significant roles in inflammatory responses, particularly in asthma and bronchitis.
  • Prostaglandins have a short half-life of around five minutes, while leukotrienes can last for hours in tissues and contribute to prolonged bronchoconstriction in asthma.
  • Zileuton, an inhibitor of 5-lipooxygenase, is used for treating ulcerative colitis.
  • Montelukast and zafirlukast are leukotriene receptor antagonists that block leukotrienes' effects.

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Description

This set of flashcards covers the classification of fatty acids and their biochemical importance. It includes definitions of key terms related to lipids and their solubility properties. Enhance your understanding of lipid chemistry with these essential concepts.

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