Study Set Content:
Cholesterol occurs in animals not
Plants
Cholesterol is important in many ways: – For the synthesis of (blank) that are important in lipid digestion and absorption
bile salts
For the synthesis of steroid hormones that are biologically important like the sex hormones
estrogen and progesterone.
–Cholesterol is For the synthesis of
vitamin D3
Cholesterol is a structural material in
biological membranes.
Cholesterol – As a component of lipoproteins as transport forms of
lipid based energy
Oxidation products of cholesterol
Bile salts
Cholesterol is oxidized to the
trihydroxy derivative
The end of the aliphatic chain is oxidized to the
carboxylic acids
After oxidizing to the carboxylic acids, an amide bond forms with an amino acid, either
glycine or taurine
is used as an ingredient in sports drinks (Red Bull)
Taurine
Disperse dietary lipids in the small intestine into fine emulsions, thereby facilitating digestion
Bile salts
Bile salts lower surface tension and emulsify fats, a pre-requisite for the action of
pancreatic lipase
Bile salts activate
lipase
Bile salts shift the pH from 9 to
6
bile salts form micelles with a fatty acid and help in
absorption
Bile salts – Promote absorption of
fat-soluble vitamins
Bile salts keep cholesterol in soluble form in
gall bladder
regulate the breakdown of
cholesterol
regulate the concentration of ions (mainly sodium and potassium)
Mineralocorticoids
