Essential fatty acids

Question 1

effect

Answer 1

vitamin like effect, cannot be synth in organism

Question 2

examples

Answer 2

plant originating FA
Linoleic (18C, delta 9,12, omega 6)
⇒ arachidonic

Linolenic (18C, delta 9,12,15 omega 3)
⇒ EPA(eicospentainoic acid), DHA(docosahexainoic acid)

Question 3

why essential

Answer 3

linolenic and linoleic acid prod from oleic acid in plants only! cannot prod = above delta 9

Question 4

name the roles of essential FA

Answer 4

1. membrane constituent: incr. fluidity, decr. rigidity
2. eicosanoid production: inflammation + blood clotting
   - (prostanoids, thromboxanes, leucotrienes)

Question 5

deficiency

Answer 5

1. membrane damage (skin damage, fertilization problems)
2. problem with inflammation (chronic inflammation, problem with blood clotting)

(omega 6: proinflamm, incr. blood clot)
(omega 3: antiinflamm, decr. blood clot.)