La-la-la! Biology makes me so happy!
Biology? more like BYE-ology? don't worry you have come to the right place!
Baffled by some of the words? Check out the Key terms page
Clinical Obesity
overweight to a degree which causes medical complications
OBESITY- WHAT IS IT?
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.
What is Leptin?
Leptin is a hormone secreted from fat cells which helps to regulate body weight. The name leptin is derived from the Greek word ‘leptos’ meaning thin. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Fat Controller’.
What is adipose tissue?
Adipose tissue, or fat, is an anatomical term for loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes.
a cell specialized for the storage of fat, found in connective tissue.
What is the hypotahlamus ?
a region of the forebrain below the thalamus that coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and involved in sleep and emotional activity.
A fatty or waxy organic compound that is readily soluble in nonpolar solvent (e.g. ether) but not in polar solvent (e.g water). Its major biological functions involve energy storage, structural component of cell membrane, and cell signaling.
LIPIDS: Definition
an unsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has one double or triple valence bond per molecule; found chiefly in olive oil and chicken and almonds
(fig 1)
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
Cis-isomers - what are they?
In organic chemistry, cis-trans isomerism /geometric isomerism /configuration isomerism or E-Z isomerism are all variations of stereoisomerism. They describe the structure of functional groups exisiting inside molecules.
GENERALLY; isomers like these consist of DOUBLE BONDS. These double bonds are unable to rotate...
HOWEVER, they can come out from ring structures, when the rotation of the bonds is strictly prevented.
What is a glycerol?
Glycerolipids are composed of glycerol and fatty acids. Glycerol consists of three carbon atoms, each each of the three carbon atoms is bound to a hydroxyl (-OH) group. (Figure 1)
What are Steroids?
Similar structure of four fused rings in their molecule.
Examples of Steroid include: Chlosterol, progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. (figure 2)
What is an evaluation?
Evaluation = Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
- an unsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has more than one double or triple valence bond per molecule; found chiefly in fish and corn and soybean oil and sunflower oil
(fig 1)
isomers - what are they?
Any two molecules with the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of molecular groups.
What are phospholipids?
Similar to triglycerides HOWEVER; they acquire two fatty acids (instead of three) whcih are connected to glycerol
Instead of a third fatty acid, they have a phosphate group.
KEY POINT: Phospholipids are partially hydrophobic ( water hating) and they make up the foundation of membranes.
in the bloodstream is for immediate use and will either be used in respiration to yield ATP or converted to glycogen or fat
glucose
What are coronary arteries?
Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. Like all other tissues in the body, the heart muscle needs oxygen-rich blood to function, and oxygen-depleted blood must be carried away. The coronary arteries run along the outside of the heart and have small branches that dive into the heart muscle to bring it blood.
a fatty acid whose carbon chain cannot absorb any more hydrogen atoms;
They are found chiefly in animal fats
(fig 1)
Saturated Fatty Acids
Trans- isomers - what are they?
A trans isomer is an isomerwhere the functional groups appear on opposite sides of the double bond.
Trans isomers are identified by adding trans- to the front of the molecule's name.
Example: The trans isomer of dichloroethene (see picture) is written astrans-dichloroethene.
What is a Triglyceride ?
Triglycerides are a kind of fat (lipid). They are located inside the blood. Upon consumption the body converts the calories which are unneccessary into trigylcerides. They are stored in the form of fat cells.
Subsequent to this, hormones emit triglycerides for the purpose of energy (this occurs between periods of consumption.
In conclusion, if the value of calories consumed exceeds the value of the calories burnt, (especially carbohydrates and fats) there will be a high quantity of tryglycerides ; this is known as hypertriglyceridemia)
glycogen
is the medium-term energy storage molecule in animals. It is stored in the liver and muscles. The energy stored in glycogen is more readily available than the energy stored in fat.
