Download Glossary of Key Terms in Chapter Two

Denniston, 7e
Glossary of Key Terms in Chapter Seventeen
arachidonic acid (17.2) a fatty acid that is derived from linolenic acid; the precursor of the
prostaglandins.
atherosclerosis (17.4) deposition of excess plasma cholesterol and other lipids and proteins on the walls
of arteries, resulting in a decreased artery diameter and increased blood pressure.
cholesterol (17.4) a 27-carbon steroid ring structure that serves as the precursor of the steroid hormones.
chylomicron (17.5) a plasma lipoprotein (aggregate of protein and triglycerides) that carries triglycerides
from the intestine to all body tissues via the bloodstream.
complex lipid (17.5) a lipid that is bonded to other types of molecules.
diglyceride (17.3) the product of the esterification of glycerol with fatty acids at two positions.
eicosanoid (17.2) any of the derivatives of 20-carbon fatty acids, including the prostaglandins,
leukotrienes, and thromboxanes.
emulsifying agent (17.3) a bipolar molecule that aids in the suspension of fats in water.
essential fatty acid (17.2) the fatty acids linoleic acid and linolenic acid, which must be supplied in the
diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body.
esterification (17.2) the reaction between a fatty acid and an alcohol to form an ester and water.
facilitated diffusion (17.6) movement of a solute across a membrane from an area of high concentration to
an area of low concentration through a transmembrane protein or permease.
fatty acid (17.2) any member of the family of continuous-chain carboxylic acids that generally contain
12-20 carbon atoms; the most concentrated source of energy used by the cell.
fluid mosaic model (17.6) the model of membrane structure that describes the fluid nature of the
phospholipid bilayer and the presence of numerous proteins embedded within the membrane.
glyceride (17.3) a lipid that contains glycerol.
high density lipoprotein (17.5) a plasma lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from peripheral tissue to
the liver.
hydrogenation (17.2) a reaction in which hydrogen (H2) is added to a double or triple bond.
lipid (17.1) a member of the group of organic molecules of varying composition that are classified
together on the basis of their solubility in nonpolar solvents.
low density lipoprotein (17.5) a plasma lipoprotein that carries cholesterol to peripheral tissues and helps
to regulate cholesterol levels in those tissues.
monoglyceride (17.2) the product of the esterification of glycerol with one fatty acid.
neutral glyceride (17.3) the product of the esterification of glycerol with fatty acids at one, two, or three
positions.
peripheral membrane protein (17.6) a protein that is bound to either the inner or outer surface of a
membrane.
phosphatidate (17.3) the simplest phosphoglyceride; a molecule with fatty acids esterified to C-1 and C2 of glycerol and a free phosphoryl group esterified at C-3.
phosphoglyceride (17.3) a molecule with fatty acids esterified at the C-1 and C-2 positions of glycerol
and a phosphoryl group esterified at C-3. There may be an additional hydrophilic group bonded to the
phosphoryl group.
phospholipid (17.3) a lipid containing a phosphoryl group.
plasma lipoprotein (17.5) a complex composed of lipid and protein that is responsible for the transport of
lipids throughout the body.
prostaglandin (17.2) a family of hormonelike substances derived from the 20-carbon fatty acid
arachidonic acid; produced by many cells of the body, they regulate many body functions.
saponification (17.2) a reaction in which a soap is produced; more generally, the hydrolysis of an ester by
an aqueous base.
saturated fatty acid (17.2) a long-chain monocarboxylic acid in which each carbon of the chain is
bonded to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms.
sphingolipid (17.4) a phospholipid that is derived from the amino alcohol sphingosine, rather than from
glycerol.
sphingomyelin (17.4) a sphingolipid that is found in abundance in the myelin sheath that surrounds and
insulates cells of the central nervous system.
steroid (17.4) a lipid that is derived from cholesterol and composed of one five-sided ring and three sixsided rings; the steroids include sex hormones and anti-inflammatory compounds.
terpene (17.4) the general term for lipids that are synthesized from isoprene units; the terpenes include
steroids, bile salts, lipid-soluble vitamins, and chlorophyll.
transmembrane protein (17.6) a protein that is embedded within a membrane and crosses the lipid
bilayer, protruding from the membrane both inside and outside the cell.
triglyceride (17.3) triacylglycerol; a molecule composed of glycerol esterified to three fatty acids.
unsaturated fatty acid (17.2) a long-chain monocarboxylic acid having at least one carbon-to-carbon
double bond.
very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (17.5) a plasma lipoprotein that binds triglycerides synthesized by
the liver and carries them to adipose tissue for storage.
wax (17.4) a collection of lipids that are generally considered to be esters of long-chain alcohols.