Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
15th Edition
ISBN: 9781337408332
Author: Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Chapter 3, Problem 1DAA

Effects of Dietary Fats on Lipoprotein Levels

Cholesterol that is made by the liver or that enters the body from food cannot dissolve in blood, so it is carried through the bloodstream in clumps called lipoprotein particles. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles carry cholesterol to body tissues such as artery walls, where they can form deposits associated with cardiovascular disease. Thus, LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles carry cholesterol away from tissues to the liver for disposal, so HDL is often called “good” cholesterol. In 1990, Ronald Mensink and Martijn Katan published a study that tested the effects of different dietary fats on blood lipoprotein levels. Their results are shown in FIGURE 3.2.

FIGURE 3.2 Effect of diet on lipoprotein levels. Researchers placed 59 men and women on a diet in which 10 percent of their daily energy intake consisted of cis fatty acids, trans fatty acids, or saturated fats.

The amounts of LDL and HDL in the blood were measured after three weeks on the diet; averaged results are shown in mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood). All subjects were tested on each of the diets. The ratio of LDL to HDL is also shown.

Chapter 3, Problem 1DAA, Effects of Dietary Fats on Lipoprotein Levels Cholesterol that is made by the liver or that enters

In which group was the level of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) highest?

Expert Solution & Answer
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Summary Introduction

To explain: The group that had the highest level of LDL (“bad” cholesterol).

Concept introduction: Lipoproteins are carriers of hydrophobic molecules in the extracellular matrix and the blood. The lipoproteins are made of phospholipids, cholesterol, and proteins. The proteins are made of amino acids. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transports fat, essentially cholesterol molecules in aqueous medium. LDL can get oxidized with arterial walls and forms plaque. Saturated fatty acids have fatty acid chains lacking double bonds between their carbon atoms.

Explanation of Solution

In the experiment, the amount of LDL was checked in three groups of main dietary fats: cis fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and saturated fats. Their optimal levels were also checked. The optimal level of LDL is lesser than 100. The amount of LDL in cis fatty acids is 103, trans fatty acids is 117, and saturated fats is 121.

Conclusion

The saturated fats had the highest level of LDL also known as bad cholesterol among the three groups.

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While not a lipid, cholesterol is often found associated with membranes. Explain how a cholesterol molecule is able to be held in place, and which parts of the cholesterol associate with which parts of the lipds. Animals like caribou (a.k.a. reindeer) that live in cold arctic regions such as the north pole often have more cholesterol in their legs than the rest of their bodies. Suggest a reason this may occur (cholesterol does not help with flight).
Fatty acids are a component of fats but have distinct chemical difference apart from fats that would allow them to travel fairly freely in the aqueous environment of the blood stream. They don’t, however, and are transported with serum albumin. What about the chemistry of fatty acids makes it so that it might not be good to have a lot of them traveling freely in the bloodstream?
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