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Example of an unsaturated fat triglyceride (C 55 H 98 O 6). Left part: glycerol; right part, from top to bottom: palmitic acid, oleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid. Glycerolipids are composed of mono-, di-, and tri-substituted glycerols, [30] the best-known being the fatty acid triesters of glycerol, called triglycerides. The word "triacylglycerol ...
A lipoprotein is a biochemical assembly whose primary function is to transport hydrophobic lipid (also known as fat) molecules in water, as in blood plasma or other extracellular fluids. They consist of a triglyceride and cholesterol center, surrounded by a phospholipid outer shell, with the hydrophilic portions oriented outward toward the ...
The second step in lipid metabolism is absorption of fats. Short chain fatty acids can be absorbed in the stomach, while most absorption of fats occurs only in the small intestines. Once the triglycerides are broken down into individual fatty acids and glycerols, along with cholesterol, they will aggregate into structures called micelles. Fatty ...
The lipid components of lipoproteins are insoluble in water. However, because of their detergent-like ( amphipathic ) properties, apolipoproteins and other amphipathic molecules (such as phospholipids ) can surround the lipids, creating a lipoprotein particle that is itself water-soluble, and can thus be carried through body fluids (i.e., blood ...
In humans and many animals, fats serve both as energy sources and as stores for energy in excess of what the body needs immediately. Each gram of fat when burned or metabolized releases about nine food calories (37 kJ = 8.8 kcal). [5] Fats are also sources of essential fatty acids, an important dietary requirement.
Many macromolecules are polymers of smaller molecules called monomers. The most common macromolecules in biochemistry are biopolymers (nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates) and large non-polymeric molecules such as lipids, nanogels and macrocycles. [1]
They are broken down into mono-and di-glycerides plus free fatty acids (but no free glycerol) by pancreatic lipase, which forms a 1:1 complex with a protein called colipase (also a constituent of pancreatic juice), which is necessary for its activity. The activated complex can work only at a water-fat interface.
The seven major classes of nutrients are carbohydrates, fats, fiber, minerals, proteins, vitamins, and water. [7] Nutrients can be grouped as either macronutrients or micronutrients (needed in small quantities). Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are macronutrients, and provide energy. [7] Water and fiber are macronutrients, but do not provide ...