Lipid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism is the process by which lipids are synthesized and degraded in cells. In this article, important lipids discussed are bile salts, cholesterols, steroids and ketone bodies. Also covered in this article are the structures and functions of these types of lipids. The biosynthesis and metabolism of these lipid molecules are also covered in this article.

The term ‘lipids’ describes a hotchpotch of heterogeneous structures; yet they all have two things in common: they are fatty, and high in energy. Lipids do not dissolve in water, or only do so partially – which means they are lipophilic or hydrophobic (they do, however, dissolve well in solvents) – and they are all made from energy-rich units of activated ethanoic acid, so-called acetyl-CoA units. These two properties, plus the way lipids appear in many different forms, means they are destined for a variety of important functions within the human body. In addition to other things, they constitute building materials, message-carriers, and combustible materials. You can read about the properties, structure and functions of lipids below. 

Triacylglycerides are a group of insoluble compounds that serve as energy reserves in the body. Their storage occurs in adipocytes, which are built up or depleted in response to the constantly changing energy demands of the cell. Both of these processes are under tight hormonal regulation. This discussion will also include the absorption and transport of fatty acids, as well as the production of ketone bodies.  

Ketone bodies are an important energy source for our bodies during periods of fasting. They provide the brain, the myocardial muscles and the skeletal muscles with energy whenever our body has to live off its reserves. The following article addresses the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, their impact on the pH-level of the blood, as well as their clinical relevance with regard to diabetes - all of which is based on pre-med biochemistry knowledge.

Lipids are organic molecules that are composed of the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, with the hydrogen to oxygen ratio greater than 2:1. They are highly hydrophobic because of having a long hydrocarbon chain. This family of compound includes fats, waxes, steroids and phospholipids. This article focuses more on the metabolic processes involved in processing fats and fatty acids.

Cholesterol (Greek for: ‘gall’ and ‘solid’) is a media star: For decades, no other biochemical substrate draws as much attention as cholesterol has. But what are the hard pre-clinical facts? How is cholesterol synthesized and degraded in the human body? How is cholesterol metabolism regulated? The following article presents you with useful information that will aid you in your exam preparation.

Lipids are a large and diverse group of naturally occurring organic compounds that have relatively very low solubility in water and higher solubility in non-polar organic solvents. Different types of lipid molecules include fatty acids, fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, eicosanoids, steroids etc. The focus of this article is on two types of lipids namely glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Specifically, the article emphasizes on the synthesis of these two types of lipids.