Lipids
Each list begins with basic conceptual vocabulary you need to know for MCAT questions and proceeds to advanced terms that might appear in context in MCAT passages. The terms are links to Wikipedia articles.
Lipid
Lipids can be broadly defined as any fat-soluble (hydrophobic), naturally-occurring molecules.
Lipids can be broadly defined as any fat-soluble (hydrophobic), naturally-occurring molecules.
Fatty acid
A fatty acid is a carboxylic acid often with a long unbranched aliphatic tail, which is either saturated or unsaturated
A fatty acid is a carboxylic acid often with a long unbranched aliphatic tail, which is either saturated or unsaturated
Fats
A wide group of molecules, fats are generally triesters of glycerol and fatty acids.
A wide group of molecules, fats are generally triesters of glycerol and fatty acids.
Triglyceride
A triglyceride consists of glycerol esterified with three fatty acids, although slightly more formally, the form is known as triacylglycerol or triacylglyceride.
A triglyceride consists of glycerol esterified with three fatty acids, although slightly more formally, the form is known as triacylglycerol or triacylglyceride.
Saturated fat
A saturated fat is a fat that consists of triglycerides containing fatty acids with no double bonds between the carbon atoms of the fatty acid chain
A saturated fat is a fat that consists of triglycerides containing fatty acids with no double bonds between the carbon atoms of the fatty acid chain
Phospholipid
Phospholipids are a class of lipids which are a major component of all biological membranes, along with glycolipids, cholesterol and proteins.
Phospholipids are a class of lipids which are a major component of all biological membranes, along with glycolipids, cholesterol and proteins.
Monounsaturated fat
Monounsaturated fats are fatty acids having a single double bond present in the fatty acid chain, with all of the carbons in the chain single bonded
Monounsaturated fats are fatty acids having a single double bond present in the fatty acid chain, with all of the carbons in the chain single bonded
Polyunsaturated fat
Polyunsaturated fats are fatty acids having more than one double bond present in the fatty acid chain.
Polyunsaturated fats are fatty acids having more than one double bond present in the fatty acid chain.
Diglyceride
A diglyceride, more formally known as a diacylglycerol, is a glyceride consisting of two fatty acid chains covalently bonded to a glycerol molecule through ester linkages.
A diglyceride, more formally known as a diacylglycerol, is a glyceride consisting of two fatty acid chains covalently bonded to a glycerol molecule through ester linkages.
Steroid
A steroid is a terpenoid lipid characterized by a carbon skeleton with four fused rings generally arranged in a 6-6-6-5 fashion.
A steroid is a terpenoid lipid characterized by a carbon skeleton with four fused rings generally arranged in a 6-6-6-5 fashion.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a sterol found in the cell membranes of all physiological tissues and transported in the blood plasma of all animals.
Cholesterol is a sterol found in the cell membranes of all physiological tissues and transported in the blood plasma of all animals.
Glycerophospholipid
Glycerophospholipids or phosphoglycerides are glycerol-based phospholipids. They are the main component of biological membranes.
Glycerophospholipids or phosphoglycerides are glycerol-based phospholipids. They are the main component of biological membranes.
Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid which is a major constituent of cell membranes. This lipid is such a major component of lecithin that in some contexts the terms are used as synonyms.
Phosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid which is a major constituent of cell membranes. This lipid is such a major component of lecithin that in some contexts the terms are used as synonyms.
Terpene
Including the essential oils of many plants, terpenes are a large and varied class of hydrocarbons which are derived biosynthetically from units of isoprene.
Including the essential oils of many plants, terpenes are a large and varied class of hydrocarbons which are derived biosynthetically from units of isoprene.
Lecithin
Lecithin is mostly a mixture of glycolipids, triglycerides, and phospholipids. However, in biochemistry, the term is usually used as a synonym for pure phosphatidylcholine.
Lecithin is mostly a mixture of glycolipids, triglycerides, and phospholipids. However, in biochemistry, the term is usually used as a synonym for pure phosphatidylcholine.
Isoprene
Isoprene is a common synonym for the chemical compound 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene. It is an important biological material, being a precursor for many important classes such as the terpenes and steroids.
Isoprene is a common synonym for the chemical compound 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene. It is an important biological material, being a precursor for many important classes such as the terpenes and steroids.
Squalene
Squalene is the triterpene which is the biochemical precursor to the whole family of steroids
Squalene is the triterpene which is the biochemical precursor to the whole family of steroids
Prostaglandin
A prostaglandin is any member of a group of lipid compounds having 20 carbon atoms, including a 5-carbon ring which are derived enzymatically from fatty acids, having important functions in the animal body especially in immunity.
A prostaglandin is any member of a group of lipid compounds having 20 carbon atoms, including a 5-carbon ring which are derived enzymatically from fatty acids, having important functions in the animal body especially in immunity.
Sterol
Sterols, or steroid alcohols are a subgroup of steroids with a hydroxyl group in the 3-position of the A-ring.
Sterols, or steroid alcohols are a subgroup of steroids with a hydroxyl group in the 3-position of the A-ring.
Omega-3 fatty acid
Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond in the third carbon-carbon bond from the terminal end.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond in the third carbon-carbon bond from the terminal end.
Omega-6 fatty acid
Omega-6 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond in the sixth carbon-carbon bond from the terminal end.
Omega-6 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond in the sixth carbon-carbon bond from the terminal end.
Omega-9 fatty acid
Omega-9 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond in the ninth carbon-carbon bond from the terminal end.
Omega-9 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond in the ninth carbon-carbon bond from the terminal end.
Inositol
Inositol is a carbocyclic polyol that plays an important role as the structural basis for a number of secondary messengers in eukaryotic cells.
Inositol is a carbocyclic polyol that plays an important role as the structural basis for a number of secondary messengers in eukaryotic cells.
Sphingolipid
Sphingolipids are a class of lipids derived from the aliphatic amino alcohol sphingosine.
Sphingolipids are a class of lipids derived from the aliphatic amino alcohol sphingosine.
Terpenoid
The terpenoids, sometimes referred to as isoprenoids, are a large and diverse class of naturally occurring organic chemicals similar to terpenes, derived from five-carbon isoprene units assembled and modified in thousands of ways.
The terpenoids, sometimes referred to as isoprenoids, are a large and diverse class of naturally occurring organic chemicals similar to terpenes, derived from five-carbon isoprene units assembled and modified in thousands of ways.
Eicosanoid
Eicosanoids are signaling molecules derived from omega-3 or omega-6 fats. They exert complex control over many bodily systems, mainly in inflammation or immunity, and as messengers in the central nervous system.
Eicosanoids are signaling molecules derived from omega-3 or omega-6 fats. They exert complex control over many bodily systems, mainly in inflammation or immunity, and as messengers in the central nervous system.
Sphingomyelin
Sphingomyelin is a type of sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes, especially in the membranous myelin sheath which surrounds some nerve cell axons.
Sphingomyelin is a type of sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes, especially in the membranous myelin sheath which surrounds some nerve cell axons.
Monoterpene
Monoterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of two isoprene units.
Monoterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of two isoprene units.
Carotene
The terpene carotene is an orange photosynthetic pigment important for photosynthesis. It is responsible for the orange colour of the carrot and many other fruits and vegetables.
The terpene carotene is an orange photosynthetic pigment important for photosynthesis. It is responsible for the orange colour of the carrot and many other fruits and vegetables.
Prostanoid
Prostanoid is the term used to describe a subclass of eicosanoids consisting of the prostaglandins, the thromboxanes and the prostacyclins.
Prostanoid is the term used to describe a subclass of eicosanoids consisting of the prostaglandins, the thromboxanes and the prostacyclins.
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid nutrient found in fish, green leafy vegetables, soybeans and rice, and is essential for the normal functioning of neuronal cell membranes and activates protein kinase C which has been shown to be involved in memory function.
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid nutrient found in fish, green leafy vegetables, soybeans and rice, and is essential for the normal functioning of neuronal cell membranes and activates protein kinase C which has been shown to be involved in memory function.
Carotenoid
Carotenoids are organic pigments naturally occurring in plants, some algae, some types of fungus and some bacteria. They are split into two classes, xanthophylls and carotenes.
Carotenoids are organic pigments naturally occurring in plants, some algae, some types of fungus and some bacteria. They are split into two classes, xanthophylls and carotenes.
Cephalin
Cephalin is a phospholipid found in all living cells, although in human physiology it is found particularly in nervous tissue such as the white matter of brain, nerves, neural tissue, and in spinal cord. It is the principal phospholipid in bacteria.
Cephalin is a phospholipid found in all living cells, although in human physiology it is found particularly in nervous tissue such as the white matter of brain, nerves, neural tissue, and in spinal cord. It is the principal phospholipid in bacteria.
Cardiolipin
Cardiolipin (bisphosphatidyl glycerol) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid.
Cardiolipin (bisphosphatidyl glycerol) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid.
Sphingosine
Sphingosine is an 18-carbon amino alcohol with an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, which forms a primary part of sphingolipids, a class of cell membrane lipids that include sphingomyelin.
Sphingosine is an 18-carbon amino alcohol with an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, which forms a primary part of sphingolipids, a class of cell membrane lipids that include sphingomyelin.
Ceramide
Composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid, ceramides are a family of lipid molecules found in high concentrations within the cell membrane.
Composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid, ceramides are a family of lipid molecules found in high concentrations within the cell membrane.
Sesquiterpene
Sesquiterpenes are terpenes that consist of three isoprene units.
Sesquiterpenes are terpenes that consist of three isoprene units.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid pigment, a phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits. It is the most common carotenoid in the human body and is one of the most potent carotenoid antioxidants.
Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid pigment, a phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits. It is the most common carotenoid in the human body and is one of the most potent carotenoid antioxidants.
Xanthophyll
Xanthophylls (originally phylloxanthins) are yellow pigments from the carotenoid group.
Xanthophylls (originally phylloxanthins) are yellow pigments from the carotenoid group.
Thromboxane
Thromboxane is a member of the family of lipids known as eicosanoids. It is named for its role in clot formation.
Thromboxane is a member of the family of lipids known as eicosanoids. It is named for its role in clot formation.
Leukotriene
Leukotrienes are eicosanoid lipid mediators produced in the body from arachidonic acid by the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase. These substances may be responsible for a number of the effects of asthma and allergies.
Leukotrienes are eicosanoid lipid mediators produced in the body from arachidonic acid by the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase. These substances may be responsible for a number of the effects of asthma and allergies.
