Govt Exams
Familial hypercholesterolemia is caused by mutations in the LDL receptor gene, preventing cells from taking up LDL particles, resulting in elevated blood cholesterol levels.
High cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol, can accumulate in artery walls forming atherosclerotic plaques, leading to arterial narrowing (atherosclerosis) and increased risk of heart disease.
Beta-oxidation is the catabolic pathway that breaks down fatty acids in the mitochondria, producing acetyl-CoA which enters the Krebs cycle for ATP production.
Saturated fatty acids have all single bonds between carbon atoms (straight chain), while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more C=C double bonds (kinked structure).
Cell membranes are composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded cholesterol molecules that regulate membrane fluidity and maintain structural integrity.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (found in fish, flaxseed) have anti-inflammatory properties and support heart health by reducing triglycerides and blood pressure.
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) is known as 'good cholesterol' because it transports cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver for degradation and excretion.
Triglycerides consist of glycerol and three fatty acids connected by ester bonds. Phosphate groups are found in phospholipids, not triglycerides.
Bone marrow shows the highest pentose phosphate pathway activity because rapidly dividing cells require maximum ribose-5-phosphate for nucleotide (DNA/RNA) synthesis during cell division. While adipose tissue needs NADPH for lipogenesis and RBCs need it for antioxidant defense, bone marrow's continuous hematopoiesis demands the most nucleotide precursors. This is clinically relevant in leukemia and chemotherapy patients.
Type 2 diabetes shows hepatic insulin resistance leading to impaired glycogenesis (reduced glycogen synthesis) and uncontrolled gluconeogenesis (excessive glucose production). This causes elevated fasting glucose despite normal HbA1c if glycemic control improves later. The liver fails to suppress glucose production in response to insulin.