To study the effect of lipids on heart disease, researchers fed mice diets including cholesterol (Control), cholesterol with trans fatty acids (Trans), or cholesterol with cis fatty acids (Cis). After 8 weeks, they examined them for atherosclerosis—the narrowing of arteries that is a leading cause of heart attacks. Data from their observations of atherosclerotic lesions are provided below (* means 𝑃<0.05; see BioSkills 3). What do these data reveal concerning lipid structure and heart disease in mice?

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Examine the graph to understand the data presented. The y-axis represents the atherosclerotic lesion size in mm², and the x-axis represents the different diet groups: Control, Trans, and Cis.

Observe the data points for each group. The Control group has red circles, the Trans group has purple squares, and the Cis group has green triangles.

Note the mean lesion size and the error bars for each group. The Control group has the smallest mean lesion size, followed by the Cis group, and the Trans group has the largest mean lesion size.

Identify the statistical significance indicated by the asterisks (*). The asterisks suggest that the differences between the groups are statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Interpret the results: The data suggest that trans fatty acids increase atherosclerotic lesion size more than cis fatty acids and the control diet. This indicates that the structure of lipids (trans vs. cis) has a significant impact on heart disease in mice.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances in the arterial walls, leading to narrowed arteries. This narrowing restricts blood flow and can result in serious cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks. Understanding the mechanisms of atherosclerosis is crucial for evaluating how different types of lipids, such as trans and cis fatty acids, influence heart disease.

Lipid Structure

Lipids are a diverse group of hydrophobic molecules, including fats, oils, and cholesterol, that play essential roles in biological systems. The structure of lipids, particularly the configuration of fatty acids (saturated, trans, or cis), affects their physical properties and biological functions. This structural variation is significant in determining how lipids impact health, particularly in relation to heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Trans vs. Cis Fatty Acids

Trans and cis fatty acids are types of unsaturated fats distinguished by the arrangement of hydrogen atoms around the double bonds in their carbon chains. Trans fatty acids, often found in processed foods, are associated with increased LDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart disease, while cis fatty acids, typically found in natural oils, are considered healthier. Understanding these differences is vital for interpreting the effects of dietary fats on atherosclerosis in the study.

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Suppose a cell is placed in a solution with a high concentration of potassium and no sodium. How would the cellular sodium–potassium pump function in this environment? a. It would stop moving ions across the membrane. b. It would continue using ATP to pump sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell. c. It would move sodium and potassium ions across the membrane, but no ATP would be used. d. It would reverse the direction of sodium and potassium ions to move them against their gradients.

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Textbook Question

In an experiment, you create two groups of liposomes in a solution containing 0.1 M NaCl—one made from red blood cell membranes and the other from frog egg cell membranes. When the liposomes are placed in water, those with red blood cell membranes burst more rapidly than those made from egg membranes. What could explain these results? Select True or False for each of the following statements. a. T/F The red blood cell liposomes are more hypertonic relative to water than the frog egg liposomes. b. T/F The red blood cell liposomes are more hypotonic relative to water than the frog egg liposomes. c. T/F The red blood cell liposomes contain more aquaporins than the frog egg liposomes. d. T/F The frog egg liposomes contain ion channels, which are not present in the red blood cell liposomes.

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Textbook Question

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