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Which hormone synthesis processes does cholesterol participate in?
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Synthesis of cortisol, aldosterone, and sex steroids (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone).
What are the two secondary bile acids, and how are they formed?
Deoxycholic acid and lithocolic acid; formed via deconjugation and dehydroxylation of primary bile acids.
How do bile salts contribute to digestion?
They aid in lipid digestion and absorption as sodium and potassium salts.
What is the starting compound for vitamin D synthesis in the skin?
7-dehydrocholesterol.
What is the active form of Vitamin D3?
1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol).
What conversions occur in the liver and kidney during vitamin D synthesis?
In the liver: Cholecalciferol is converted to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. In the kidney: 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is converted to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol).
Name two primary bile acids.
Glycocolate and taurocholate.
What are the conjugated forms of colic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid?
Glycolic acid (glycocolate), Taurocholic acid (taurocholate), Glycochenodeoxycolate, and Taurochenodeoxycolate.
What are the three key functions of cholesterol degradation?
Production of bile acids, synthesis of vitamin D, and precursor role in steroid hormones.
What role does 1-alpha-hydroxylase play in vitamin D synthesis?
It converts 25-hydroxycholecalciferol to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) in the kidney.
Describe the activation of 7-dehydrocholesterol.
It is activated by UV rays, converting it to cholecalciferol.
Why is understanding cholesterol degradation important?
Because it highlights the essential biochemical processes cholesterol is involved in, including the production of bile acids, vitamin D, and steroid hormones.
Which enzyme in the liver converts cholecalciferol?
25-hydroxylase.
Which enzyme converts cholesterol to hydroxycholesterol in bile acid synthesis?
Hydroxylase enzyme.
What compounds are formed from 7-hydroxycholesterol in bile acid synthesis?
Colic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid.
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