Chapter 6 Vocabulary

Emulsifier

Compound that can suspend fat in water by isolating individual fat droplets using a shell of water molecules or other substances to prevent the fat from coalescing.

Antioxidant

Compound that protects other compounds such as unsaturated fats, and body tissues from the damaging effects of oxygen (anti means against, oxidant means oxygen). Reduced LDL oxidation from excess LDL in blood.

Cis Fatty Acids

Fatty acid where the hydrogens attached to the double bond carbons are on the same side of the carbon chain.

Hydrogenation

Addition of hydrogen to some carbon-carbon double bonds and producing some trans fatty acids. This process is used to convert liquid oils into more solid fats.

Essential Fatty Acids

Alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid. We must get these fatty acids from foods because our bodies are unable to synthesize the double bond before the 9th carbon in the chain, counting from the omega end.

Homocysteine

Amino acid not use din protein synthesis, but instead is produced during metabolism of the amino acid methionine. It is likely toxic to many cells, such as those lining the blood vessels.

Very-low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL)

Te liver coats the cholesterol and triglycerides that collect in that organ with a shell of protein and lipids and produces what are called "_____."

Free Fatty Acids

Fatty acids released from the glycerol backbone to emphasize that they are unattached.

Medium-chain Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that are 6 to 10 carbons in length. Digested almost as rapidly as glucose, and are transported via the circulatory system. Coconut and palm kernel oils.

Short-chain Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that are usually less than 6 carbons in length. Fat in dairy products, such as butter and whole milk, are this type. They are rapidly digested and transported via the circulatory system.

Long-chain Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that have 12 or more carbon atoms. Fats from beef, pork, and lamb, most plant oils. Take the longest to digest, and are transported via the lymphatic system.

Trans Fatty Acids

Fatty acids where the hydrogens attached to the double-bonded carbons zigzag back and forth across the carbon chain. Have a straighter shape than cis.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA)

Has at least 2 double bonds in its carbon chain.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

High proportion of protein. Heaviest, most dense, lipoprotein. Live and intestine produce most of it found in the blood. Roams the bloodstream picking up cholesterol from dying cells and other sources. Blocks oxidation of LDL.

Eicosanoids

Hormone-like compounds synthesized from polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.

Scavenger Pathway for Cholesterol Uptake

How oxidized LDL is removed from circulation. Certain "scavenger" white blood cells leave the blood stream and embed in blood vessels. WBC detect oxidized LDL and engulf and digest it which prevents it from re-entering the blood stream. Able to pick up enormous amounts of LDL.

Micelle

Water-soluble, spherical structure formed by lecithin and bile acids in which the hydrophobic parts face inward and the hydrophilic parts face outward.

Intermediate-Density Lipoproteins (IDL)

When VLDLs from the liver enter the circulatory system, the enzyme LPL in the lining of blood vessels transfers the triglycerides in VLDLs to body cells, including adipose tissues for fat storage and muscle tissue for energy. As triglycerides are released, VLDLs get more and more dense and become "______."

Lipoprotein

Compound containing a core of lipids with a shell composed of protein, phospholipid, and cholesterol.

Diglyceride

A triglyceride that loses a fatty acid.

Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL)

As triglycerides are removed from IDLs, the proportions of TG decrease and cholesterol increases. As more triglycerides are removed IDLs become "________." Composed primarily of cholesterol.

Atherosclerosis

Buildup of fatty material (plaque) in the arteries, including those surrounding the heart. Referred to as hardening of arteries. Plaque thickens in vessel.

Monounsaturated Fatty Acid (MUFA)

Carbons form a double bond between each other by giving up 1 hydrogen. Have one double bond in chain. One location in carbon chain that is not saturated with hydrogen.

Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA)

Every carbon in the chain has formed the maximum of 4 bonds. All the bonds between the carbons are single connections and the other carbon bonds are filled with hydrogens.

Receptor Pathway for Cholesterol Uptake

LDL is removed from the blood by cells with the LDL receptor called B-100. LDL is broken down to protein and free cholesterol. Used for maintaining cell membrane or synthesizing special compounds (estrogen, testosterone, vitamin D).

Chylomicron

Lipoprotein made of dietary fats surrounded by a shell of cholesterol, phospholipids, and protein. Transport triglycerides.

Triglyceride

Molecule that consists of 3 fatty acids attached to a glycerol, which serves as a backbone for the fatty acids.

Prostaglandins

Potent eicosanoid compounds that produce diverse effects in the body.

Apolipoprotein

Protein attached to the surface of a lipoprotein or embedded in its outer shell.

Monoglyceride

Results when two fatty acids are lost from triglyceride.

Esterification

The process of attaching fatty acids to glycerol.

Re-esterification

The process of reattaching a fatty acid to glycerol that has lost a fatty acid.

De-esterification

The release of fatty acids from glycerol.