Cholesterol: Difference between revisions
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Cholesterol is positioned in the [[Lipid bilayer|Lipid bilayer parallel]] to the fatty acid chains of the [[Phosphlipid|phosopholipids]], and the hydrophilic hydroxyl group interacts with the hydrophilic head of the phospholipid, <ref name="Stryer L (2012)">Berg J, Tymoczko J, Stryer L (2012), Biochemistry, seventh edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, Basinstoke. p362</ref>. Cholesterol is needed in the membrane to alter the fluidity of the bilayer which affects the function of the membrane and therefore the specific cell. It is also inportant in the production of steriodal hormones, including male and female sex hormones, [[Vitamin D|Vitamin D]] and producing [[Bile Salts|Bile Salts in]] the Liver. It can also plan an important role in the [[Myelin | Cholesterol is positioned in the [[Lipid bilayer|Lipid bilayer parallel]] to the fatty acid chains of the [[Phosphlipid|phosopholipids]], and the [[Hydrophilic|hydrophilic]] hydroxyl group interacts with the hydrophilic head of the phospholipid, <ref name="Stryer L (2012)">Berg J, Tymoczko J, Stryer L (2012), Biochemistry, seventh edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, Basinstoke. p362</ref>. Cholesterol is needed in the membrane to alter the fluidity of the bilayer which affects the function of the membrane and therefore the specific cell. It is also inportant in the production of steriodal hormones, including male and female sex hormones, [[Vitamin D|Vitamin D]] and producing [[Bile Salts|Bile Salts in]] the Liver. It can also plan an important role in the [[Myelin Sheath|Myelin Sheath]] in [[Neuron|neurones]] <ref name="null">Miezam Cayrol, Enzine Articles. (2007, Dec 12) http://ezinearticles.com/?Knowing-Cholesterol-and-Its-5-Main-Functions&amp;amp;id=869678</ref> | ||
There are two main types of Cholesterol and two minor types: | There are two main types of Cholesterol and two minor types: | ||
Major forms: | ==== Major forms:<br> ==== | ||
<br> | LDL - [[Low density lipoproteins|Low density lipoproteins]] (good cholesterol)<br> | ||
HDL - [[High density lipoproteins|High density lipoproteins]] (bad cholesterol)<br> | |||
==== Minor forms: ==== | |||
Minor forms: | |||
VLDL - Very low density lipoproteins (very bad forms of cholesterol) | VLDL - Very low density lipoproteins (very bad forms of cholesterol) | ||
Chylomicrons - carry very little cholesterol, but a lot of triglycerides.<br> | |||
Cholesterol in high density forms can cause such problems as cardiovascular disease and in excess lower density forms can cause Atherosclerosis. | Cholesterol in high density forms can cause such problems as cardiovascular disease and in excess lower density forms can cause Atherosclerosis. | ||
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Cholesterol levels can increase with: | Cholesterol levels can increase with: | ||
*Diets high in saturated fats or trans fats | |||
*Obesity | |||
*A sedentary lifestyle <ref>WebMD, LLC (2009) http://www.webmd.boots.com/cholesterol-management/guide/understanding-cholesterol-problems-basics</ref> | |||
=== References<br><references /><br> === | |||
Revision as of 13:19, 14 November 2011
Cholesterol is a steriodal Lipid found in all animals in the Plasma Membrane, and can be present in some Intracellular Membranes but normally at lower levels.
Structure:
Cholesterol is made up of three sections, the steroid component at one end attached to four hydrocarbon rings, on the other end is a hydroxly group.
Function:
Cholesterol is positioned in the Lipid bilayer parallel to the fatty acid chains of the phosopholipids, and the hydrophilic hydroxyl group interacts with the hydrophilic head of the phospholipid, [1]. Cholesterol is needed in the membrane to alter the fluidity of the bilayer which affects the function of the membrane and therefore the specific cell. It is also inportant in the production of steriodal hormones, including male and female sex hormones, Vitamin D and producing Bile Salts in the Liver. It can also plan an important role in the Myelin Sheath in neurones [2]
There are two main types of Cholesterol and two minor types:
Major forms:
LDL - Low density lipoproteins (good cholesterol)
HDL - High density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol)
Minor forms:
VLDL - Very low density lipoproteins (very bad forms of cholesterol)
Chylomicrons - carry very little cholesterol, but a lot of triglycerides.
Cholesterol in high density forms can cause such problems as cardiovascular disease and in excess lower density forms can cause Atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol levels can increase with:
- Diets high in saturated fats or trans fats
- Obesity
- A sedentary lifestyle [3]
References
- ↑ Berg J, Tymoczko J, Stryer L (2012), Biochemistry, seventh edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, Basinstoke. p362
- ↑ Miezam Cayrol, Enzine Articles. (2007, Dec 12) http://ezinearticles.com/?Knowing-Cholesterol-and-Its-5-Main-Functions&amp;id=869678
- ↑ WebMD, LLC (2009) http://www.webmd.boots.com/cholesterol-management/guide/understanding-cholesterol-problems-basics
- ↑ Berg J, Tymoczko J, Stryer L (2012), Biochemistry, seventh edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, Basinstoke. p362
- ↑ Miezam Cayrol, Enzine Articles. (2007, Dec 12) http://ezinearticles.com/?Knowing-Cholesterol-and-Its-5-Main-Functions&amp;id=869678
- ↑ WebMD, LLC (2009) http://www.webmd.boots.com/cholesterol-management/guide/understanding-cholesterol-problems-basics