Lipids Study Guide

Draw the structures of oleic acid, linolenic acid, cholesterol, phospholipid, and a 1,2-diglyceride.
Be able to identify oleic and linolenic acids in structural form as in number, and notations.
Oleic Acid 18:1 9 (n-9):
CH3 (CH2)7 CH = CH (CH2)7 COOH
Linoleic Acid 18:2 9,12 (n-6):
CH3 (CH2)4 CH = CH CH2 CH = CH (CH2)7 COOH
What class of compound does cholesterol belong to?
Classes of Lipids:
1. Triglycerides dietary lipid
2. Sterols cholesterol
3. Phospholipids cell membrane
What allows humans to convert essential fatty acids to compounds like arachidonic acid and
eicosapentanoic acid?
Humans have the ability to add a delta 6 in order to elongate the fatty acids
Linoleic acid is the precursor to arachidonic acid; alpha-linolenic acid is the precursor to DHA
and EPA
Review what we know about lung surfactant? What is it? How is it of concern in premature
infants?
Lung surfactant = dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
Lung surfactant is prevalent in premature infants Respiratory distress syndrome can cause the
alveolar to collapse.
List the functions of the phospholipids covered in class.
- Hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail that make up the phospholipid bilayer. This
bilayer is the layer that makes up the cell membrane prevents particles from moving
across them freely
To get sufficient calories into a premature infant, what kind of formulations do food industries
develop?
Food industries formulated high energy infant formulas rich in triglycerides (short and medium
chain fatty acids) so that preterm infants get sufficient calories
In what ways are Xenical and Alli effective as medication?
Xenical and Alli (Orlistat) are medications that prevent the absorption of fats. They act as an
inhibitor of gastric and pancreatic lipase
What lipoprotein carries exogenous (dietary) lipid vs. those that carry endogenous lipids?
Chylomicrons carry dietary lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and phospholipids) -
exogenous
VLDL, LDL, and, HDL carry endogenous lipids
*LDL is the primary carrier of cholesterol in the body depositor of cholesterol in peripheral
cells high LDL = cardiovascular disease
How is lipoprotein lipase different than hormone sensitive lipase?
Lipoprotein lipase (LPL): outside non- hepatic cells
- Insulin INDUCES adipose LPL
Hormone Sensitive Lipase (HSL): inside liver and adipose cells
- Insulin INHIBITS HSL via dephosphorylation
List the food sources of essential fatty acids.
Vegetable oils, fish oils, and leafy greens
Write out the pathway for oxidation and fatty acid synthesis with structures. Be familiar with
the names of the enzymes catalyzing each step.

Fatty acyl-CoA Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase Enoyl-CoA Enoyl- CoA hydratase -

Hydroxyacyl-CoA Hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase - Ketoacyl-CoA Thiolase
Fatty acyl- CoA (shortened by two carbons)

Citrate ATP citrate lyase Oxaloacetate malate dehydrogenase Malate malic

enzyme pyruvate oxaloacetate Citrate Synthase Citrate

In what part of the cell do the pathways run?

Mitochondria Matrix (beta oxidation)

Cytosol (fatty acid synthesis)

How much ATP does the pathway either yield or produce for a given length fatty acid?

- oxidation generates 1 FADH and 1 NADH per 2 carbons

FADH yields 2 ATP; NADH yields 3 ATP

Is the yield different if a monounsaturdated fatty acid is oxidized vs. a saturated fatty acid? If so,
what is the difference?

Yes in an unsaturated fatty acid FADH2 is skipped at the double bond which yields less energy
than a saturated fatty acid

What is the order of the core steps of oxidation and fatty acid synthesis? How can you
summarize this?

Fatty Acid Synthesis Beta Oxidation

- Condensation - Oxidation FADH2 (yields 2 ATP)

- Reduction with NADPH - Hydration
- Dehydration - Oxidation NADH (yields 3 ATP)
- Reduction with NADPH - Cleavage Acetyl CoA TCA cycle (yields 12
ATP)

Differentiate the role of various lipoproteins in the fed state as regards transport of dietary lipid,
and endogenous lipid including triglyceride and cholesterol (yes, there is some overlap with part
I)

Chylomicrons transport dietary lipids

HDL/LDL transport cholesterols and triglycerides

List the effects that insulin has on adipose tissue in the fed state. How can the effects of insulin
in the fed state be mitigated by diet?

In the fed state triglycerides are absorbed in adipose where they are stored.

- insulin stimulates fatty acid and glucose uptake

- induces lipoprotein lipase
- inhibits hormone sensitive lipase

if starch is substituted for sugar insulin effects are greatly reduced

List the affects of fasting and starvation on lipid transport and storage, including any enzymes
and mechanisms involved.

Triglycerides are hydrolyzed in adipose fatty acids + glycerol (transported to liver or muscle)

- Fatty Acids: are oxidized for energy. IN LIVER ketone synthesis takes place
- Glycerol: used for glycolysis or gluconeogenesis IN LIVER

*HSL (hormone sensitive lipase) is activated during starvation whereas LPL (lipoprotein lipase)
is suppressed
What is involved in the transport of long chain fatty acids to the mitochondria?

Long chain fatty acids are shuttled into the mitochondria by carnitine this is because they are too
long to pass directly in like short chain fatty acids

*oxidation occurs in the mitochondria matrix

Be familiar with the vitamins involved in the production of NADH, FAD, NADPH

NADH Niacin

FAD Riboflavin

NADPH Niacin

What is involved in the oxidation of an unsaturated fatty acid with the double bond in the wrong
position?

The oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids involves skipping the first dehydrogenase and FADH2
where double bond is found

- Unsaturated fatty acid oxidation maintains fluidity of the membrane

- Desaturases enzyme needed to make double bonds

After the last cleavage reaction of an odd carbon fatty acid in -oxidation, what is generated and
what happens thereafter? What is the significance to energy or metabolism?

After last cleavage of odd carbon fatty acid a 3 carbon propionyl CoA is generated.

Propionyl- CoA Methylmalonyl- CoA Succinyl- CoA which then enters the TCA cycle

(propionyl-CoA Carboxylase) (Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase)

What is the citrate shuttle for?

Citrate shuttle is used to shuttle Acetyl CoA which is made in the mitochondria into the cytosol
where fatty acid synthesis takes place

What kind of reaction is involved in the formation of malonyl CoA?

Cytosolic

Acetyl CoA Malonyl-CoA

(acetyl-CoA Carboxylase)

What does the fatty acid synthesis pathway typically produce?

Fatty Acids
Which enzymes and in what way are enzymes of -oxidation and fatty acid synthesis impacted in
the fed and fasting state? Categorize each of these effects as short term (fast) vs. long term (slow)

Fasting State: Glucagon

- Phosphorylation and inactivation of acetyl CoA carboxylase

- Turns OFF fatty acid synthesis and activates B-oxidation

Fed State: Insulin

- Dephosphorylation and activation of Acetyl CoA carboxylase

- Turns ON fatty acid synthesis and turns OFF B-oxidation

List the three points we know about the regulation of acetyl CoA carboxylase by citrate

1. Citrate activates acetyl CoA Carboxylase

2. Citrate keeps aceyl CoA away from TCA oxidation
3. Promotes fatty acid synthesis in the fed state

List your three ketone bodies

1. Acetoacetate
2. B-hydroxybutyrate
3. Acetone
Ketogenesis generated during excessive exercise and starvation
How can the synthesis of cholesterol be regulated? What reaction is regulated, including the
enzyme, substrate, and product?
Cholesterol is regulated by the balance of LDL
How is cholesterol removed from the body?
HDL removes unesterified cholesterol from cells and other lipoproteins
Free cholesterol is secreted of converted to bile acids
Examine what we know about preterm infants as regards essential fatty acids and how the food
industry/dietitians have responded to meet their needs
Deficiencies of omega- 3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) can lead to neurological and visual
abnormalities typically in preterm infants.
*Breastmilk is rich in EFAs, formula isnt so now infant formulas are availave with DHA and
AA
What are the concerns with over-supplementation from fish oil?
An over-supplementation of fish oil pills can lead to changes in the conversions
How do -3 and -6 derived eicosanoids differ in their biological affects?
Omega- 3 Omega- 6
Anti inflammatory Pro inflammatory
Antriarrythmic Proarrhythmic
Platelet Inhibitor Platelet Activators
Vasodilators Vasconstrictive

Write out arachidonic acid and eicosapentanoic acid in formula and structure
Arachidonic Acid:

CH3 (CH2)3 (CH2 CH = CH)4 (CH2)3 COOH

Eicosapentanoic Acid:

CH3 (CH2- CH = CH)5 (CH2)3 COOH