Cholesterol Flashcards
What are the three sources of fats?
De novo biosynthesis (lipogenesis in the liver)
Storage depots in the adipose tissue
Diet
Describe the structure of cholesterol
27 carbon species
Planar steroid ring structure
Hydroxyl group on C3
Polar head group and non polar hydrocarbon tail
What is the function of cholesterol?
Increases or decreases membrane stiffness by interfering with the motion of fatty acid chains
Forms the basis of steroid hormones
What breaks down dietary fats?
Lipases
What produces bile salts?
The liver
What do bile salts do in digestion?
They emulsify fats in the intestine
Aid digestion G fat-soluble vitamins(A,D,E,K)
What happens as a result of a lack of bile salts?
Steathorrea (fatty stool)
Fat passes through the gut undigested and unabsorbed
What is orlistat and what are its side effects?
A drug that inhibits pancreatic lipases
Side effects are steathorrea
