Lipids and Fatty Acids Overview

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes a saturated fatty acid?

  • Has a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one end.
  • Has a branched-chain structure.
  • Contains one or more double bonds.
  • Does not contain any double bonds. (correct)

Which statement about polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is true?

  • PUFAs contain only one double bond.
  • Each double bond is separated by an ester group.
  • PUFAs can be classified into categories such as ω-3 and ω-6. (correct)
  • PUFAs are classified by the position of the first double bond from the carbonyl group.

What role does linolenic acid (18:3) play in relation to ω-3 fatty acids?

  • It is a nonessential fatty acid in the human diet.
  • It has a branched-chain structure.
  • It is a saturated fatty acid.
  • It serves as a precursor to other ω-3 fatty acids. (correct)

Which of the following fatty acids would be classified as short-chain?

<p>Caprylic acid (8 carbons) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of fatty acids' presence in the bloodstream?

<p>They are present as free fatty acids transported on plasma proteins. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet?

<p>Linoleic acid (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of fatty acids are primarily included in the group of nonessential fatty acids?

<p>Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which essential fatty acid is known as a precursor to eicosanoids and is found in peanut oil?

<p>Arachidonic acid (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of essential fatty acids in cell membranes?

<p>They maintain the fluidity of the membrane structure. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sources is known for being high in ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids?

<p>Shark liver oil (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that the body cannot produce and must get from food.

Nonessential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids the body can synthesize from other substances.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with more than one double bond.

Linoleic Acid

An essential polyunsaturated fatty acid, important for cell structure and membrane fluidity, precursor of eicosanoids.

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Sources of Essential Fatty Acids

Vegetable oils (corn, soybean, safflower, sunflower, linseed, cottonseed) and fish oils (shark liver, etc.) are common sources.

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Lipid Definition

Compounds that are insoluble in water but soluble in non-polar organic solvents.

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Fatty Acid Structure

Long-chain hydrocarbons with a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one end, mostly unbranched, and can be saturated or unsaturated.

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Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA)

Fatty Acids with more than one double bond, with methylene groups between each double bond.

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Essential Fatty Acid

Fatty acids that the body cannot produce on its own, must be consumed in the diet.

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ω-3 PUFA

A type of polyunsaturated fatty acid where the first double bond is located at the third carbon atom from the methyl end.

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Study Notes

Lipids

  • Lipids are compounds that are relatively insoluble in water, but freely soluble in non-polar organic solvents (e.g., benzene, chloroform, ether, hot alcohol, acetone).
  • Fatty acids have the chemical formula RCOOH.
  • Fatty acids are water-insoluble "long-chain hydrocarbons".
  • They are mostly monocarboxylic (i.e., having one carboxyl group at the end of the chain) (—COOH).
  • Fatty acids are mostly aliphatic (i.e., not branched).
  • A few branched-chain fatty acids are present in animals and plants.
  • Fatty acids can be saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (containing one or more double bond).
  • Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body.
  • Nonessential fatty acids can be synthesized in the body.
  • Fatty acids occur mostly as esters in natural fats and oils in the plasma carried on PP.
  • Short-chain F.A. : less than 10 C
  • Long-chain F.A. : more than 10 C.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA)

  • Definition: They are fatty acids containing more than one double bond.
  • In polyunsaturated F.A., each 2 double bonds are separated by a methylene group (-CH2-).
  • Classification: PUFAs are classified according to the position of the first double bond in relation to the ω carbon.
  • ω3 PUFAs have the 1st double bond at carbon 3 in relation to ω carbon.
  • Examples: Linolenic acid (18:3) and Cervenic acid (22:6).

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