Fats and Lipids| Physiology

Fat and Lipid

Introduction

Fat is one of the three macronutrients in human food, along with carbohydrates and protein.

Fat is any esters of fatty acids or a mixture of such compounds in food. Triglyceride is a triple esters of glycerol. One glycerol molecule contains three fatty acids.

Lipids are any molecule of biological importance composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They are water, insoluble, and soluble in lipid solvents.

Fat and lipids are not synonyms, but we use them for each other; they are interchangeable.

Lipids consist of

1. Fats are solid or semisolid at room temperature.

2. Oils are liquid at room temperature.

Keywords: Physiology|metabolism|fat|lipid|glycerol|free fatty acid

Types of fat:

Neutral fat (triglyceride)

Saturated fat

Unsaturated fat

Monounsaturated fat

Polyunsaturated fat

Phospholipid.

Tarns fat

Cholesterol.

Free fatty acid.

Fat is stored as triglyceride in the body.

Fats are rich in calories and a significant energy source in the human body.

Functions of fat:

Fats perform many functions, like

Part of cell membrane and myelin sheath.

Metabolic functions are the source of energy and the store of energy.

Synthesize carbohydrates, proteins, and hormones.

Fats help in the absorption of vitamins A.D.E.K.

Temperature regulation, thermal insulation, heat production.

Fats are essential for the health of skin, hair, and other organs.

Sources of fat:

From fatty diet

From carbohydrates and protein in food.

The liver can synthesize fats.

Adipose or fatty tissues are present in the body and contain fat cells, technically known as adipocytes. These adipocytes store fat. In case of energy deprivation, adipocytes release the stored fats to supply fatty acids and glycerol to the circulation for fuel.

Adiposites secrete some hormones, such as Leptin.

There are two types of fat tissues.

White fat and brown fat.

Some important differences are

Adipocytes                         White fat tissues                                Brown fat tissues

Size                                           Large                                                         Small

Contain                               A single fat droplet                          Multiple fat droplets

                            Fewer mitochondria and cytochromes         Many mitochondria and

                                                                                                         cytochrome cytochrome

Colour                     White                                                                 Brown, or red-brown

Distribution   Throughout the body                                      Mainly in infants, found as a thin

                                                                                                  sheath in the interscapular area.in

                                                                                                  adults around kidneys and adrenals.

% of body weight 10 to 15%                                                                 Less in amount.

Innervation Sympathetic mainly to the blood vessels        in the blood vessels and fat cells.

Regulated by Hormones like growth hormones,                       Sympathetic control, N.E. 

Insulin and catecholamines.                                                          from sympathetic nerves

Functions: Maintain free fatty acid                                              Heat production by oxidation

concentration in the body of F.F.A.                                                 in the mitochondria

Use of fat in the body

1. To form the structure of cells- lecithine and cholesterol esters are essential constituents of all cell membranes.

2. lecithin is a vital component of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers.

3. Provide energy and heat.

4. Fat is stored as triglycerides in fatty tissues and the liver.

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Internal links:

https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2021/05/basic-concept-of-digestion-we-must-know.html

https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2021/05/fat-digestion-and-absorption-in-human.html

https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2021/05/digestion-and-absorption-of-fat.html

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