Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

3. Amino Acids

Essential Amino Acids

Biochemistry

3. Amino Acids

Essential Amino Acids

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Multiple Choice

Why are alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid considered essential fatty acids?

Humans cannot synthesize them because they lack the enzymes to introduce double bonds at the required positions in the fatty acid chain.

They are the only fatty acids that contain sulfur atoms.

They are the only fatty acids that can be used for energy production in human cells.

They are the primary components of all membrane phospholipids.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the term 'essential fatty acids': Essential fatty acids are those that the human body cannot synthesize and must be obtained through the diet.

Identify the structural characteristics of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid: Both are polyunsaturated fatty acids with specific double bond positions that the human body cannot create.

Explain the enzymatic limitation: Humans lack the desaturase enzymes required to introduce double bonds at positions beyond the Δ9 carbon in the fatty acid chain, which is why these fatty acids cannot be synthesized.

Discuss the biological importance: Alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid are precursors for the synthesis of other important molecules, such as eicosanoids, and play critical roles in maintaining cell membrane structure and function.

Clarify why the other options are incorrect: These fatty acids do not contain sulfur atoms, are not the only fatty acids used for energy production, and are not the primary components of all membrane phospholipids.