Lipid Transport Flashcards
(136 cards)
What is the problem for lipid transport in blood?
They are hydrophobic molecules that are insoluble in water
How are lipids transported in blood?
Bound to carriers
What percentage of lipids are carried in blood bound to albumin?
~2%
What type of lipids predominate in those carried by albumin?
Fatty acids
What is the problem with carrying lipids bound to albumin?
It has a limited capacity
What is the capacity of carrying lipids bound to albumin?
~3mmol/L
How are ~98% of lipids carried?
As lipoprotein particles
What do lipoprotein particles consist of?
- Phospholipids
- Cholesterol esters
- Proteins
- TAG
What do the phospholipids in lipoprotein particles act as?
A shell
What do phospholipids consist of?
NAME?
Is a phospholipid molecule hydrophilic or hydrophobic?
NAME?
How are phospholipids classified?
According to head group
What do phospholipids have between their head and tail?
Phosphate and glycerol
What structures do phospholipids form?
- Liposomes
- Micelle
- Bilayer sheet
What is a liposome?
Sphere with bilayer
What is a micelle?
Sphere with single layer
Where does cholesterol in the body come from?
NAME?
What is cholesterol used for?
- Essential component of membranes
- Precursor of steroid hormones
- Precursor of bile acids
Question…
Answer…
Why is cholesterol essential for membranes?
Moderates fluidity
Give 4 steroid hormones that cholesterol is a precursor for
- Cortisol
- Aldesterone
- Testosterone
- Oestrogen
How is cholesterol transported around the body?
As cholesterol esters
What is required to esterify cholesterol?
Enzymes that add a fatty acid
Give 2 enzymes that can produce cholesterol esters?
NAME?