Adipose Tissue: Anatomy and Development Flashcards
(25 cards)
Name the anatomical locations of adipose tissue and list them in order of development.
1) Visceral (Hidden fat)
2) Subcutaneous
3) Intermuscler
4) Intramuscular
Where can visceral fat be found? Is it considered healthy or unhealthy fat?
Can be located inside the belly or surrounding internal organs. It is an unhealthy fat.
Are there specific types of visceral fat? If so, name them and where they are located.
1) Perinephric or pericardial - fat surrounding the kidneys, pelvis, and heart
2) Omental or mesenteric - fat surrounding the gastrointestinal tract
What and where is subcutaneous fat located?
External fat located under the skin
What and where is intermuscular fat located?
Fat between muscles
What and where is intramuscular fat located?
Fat within muscle (marbling) - specifically with perimysium
Name the different types of adipose tissue.
1) White adipose tissue
2) Brown adipose tissue
Name the characteristics of white adipose tissue.
- predominant fat in the body
- long term energy storage
- less vascularity
- few cytoplasmic inclusions
- poorly developed mitochondria
- for WAT, after lipolysis, fatty acids are released from the cell
Name the characteristics of brown adipose tissue.
- extensive vascularity
- high numbers of iron-containing mitochondria (hence the brown color)
- common in neonates, hibernating animals, and cold-adapted animals
True or False: Brown adipose tissue is more active in the summer for hibernating mammals.
FALSE - it’s inactive
Is the more or less brown adipose tissue in neonates (newborn babies) compared to adults? Why?
More in neonates but less in adults.
Babies have less muscle mass, so they need another source of energy (fat).
Is brown adipose tissue more active in hotter or colder temperatures? Why?
BAT is much more active in colder temperatures to generate/maintain heat.
What is thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue?
It is the activation of brown fat un adults among cold exposure.
What are the characteristics on non-shivering thermogenesis?
- Increased in metabolic heat production
- Not associated with muscle activity
- Conducted by brown fat
Fatty acids that are converted to heat in adipose tissue is due to what? What does it allow?
- Due to uncoupling-protein 1
- Allows uncoupling of oxidation from ATP formation
Name the location, color, vascularization, innervation, adipocyte size, and metabolic activity in white adipose tissue.
- Location: subcutaneous, abdominal, perirenal, inguinal, gonadal, and retroperitoneal.
- Color: white
- Vascularization: Few
- Innervation: Less sympathetic
- Adipocyte size: Highly variable, ranging from ≈ 25um up to 200um
- Metabolic Activity: Less active
Name the location, color, vascularization, innervation, adipocyte size, and metabolic activity in brown adipose tissue.
- Location: Interscapular, paravertebral, axillary, and perineal
- Color: Brown
- Vascularization: Extensive
- Innervation: More sympathetic
- Adipocyte size: Comparatively much smaller - between 15-60um.
- Metabolic Activity: High active
What are the chemical compositions of adipose tissue?
- Lipid: 76-94%… Triacylglycerides ( TG)
- Protein: 1-4%… Collagen
- Water: 5-20%
Name the types of distinct adipocytes.
1) Brown adipocyte
2) White adipocyte
3) Brite (or Beige) adipocyte
Name the primary function, UCP1 expression, mitochondrial density, and type of lipid droplet of the brown adipocyte.
- Primary Function: Thermogenesis Endocrine
- UCP1 Expression: Positive
- Mitochondrial Density: High
- Lipid Droplet: Multi-locular
Name the primary function, UCP1 expression, mitochondrial density, and type of lipid droplet of the white adipocyte.
- Primary Function: Energy Storage Endocrine
- UCP1 Expression: Negative
- Mitochondrial Density: Low
- Lipid Droplet: Uni-locular
Name the primary function, UCP1 expression, mitochondrial density, and type of lipid droplet of the brite adipocyte.
- Primary Function: Thermogenesis Endocrine?
- UCP1 Expression: Negative
- Mitochondrial Density: Medium
- Lipid Droplet: Multi-locular
What are the functions of adipose tissue?
1) Storage
2) Energy substrate (provides energy)
3) Maintenance of serum lipids and whole-body metabolism
4) Generation of heat (brown adipose tissue)
5) Protection and insulation of vital organs
6) Physical support (of our organ/body)
7) Source of hormones
Name five consequences of excess fat.
1) Skin disorders
2) Chronic inflammation
3) Metabolic and endocrine disorders
4) Heart disease
5) Reduced life expectancy
