Question 1

White adipocytes are derived developmentally from what precursor cells?

Accepted Answer

White adipocytes are derived from mesenchymal stem cells, which can differentiate into various cell types including adipocytes.

Question 2

What are the relatively large particles formed in the intestinal epithelial cells and rich in ingested lipids?

Accepted Answer

Chylomicrons are relatively large particles formed in the intestinal epithelial cells and rich in ingested lipids. They are transported via the lymphatic system to the bloodstream.

Question 3

What substance, released from the adrenal gland and some autonomic neurons, increases lipolytic activity in white adipocytes?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine is released from the adrenal gland and some autonomic neurons and stimulates lipolysis in white adipocytes by activating beta-adrenergic receptors.

Question 4

What is the most important form of lipid storage in both white and brown adipocytes?

Accepted Answer

Triglycerides are the primary form of lipid storage in both white and brown adipocytes, serving as a major energy reserve.

Question 5

Important target cells of leptin are found in which organ?

Accepted Answer

Leptin primarily targets the hypothalamus in the brain to regulate appetite and energy balance.

Question 6

The hormone-sensitive lipase in the cells of adipose tissue acts primarily on what substrate?

Accepted Answer

Hormone-sensitive lipase primarily acts on triglycerides in adipose tissue, breaking them down into free fatty acids and glycerol.

Question 7

Applied to adipocytes, the term "multilocular" refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

"Multilocular" refers to the presence of multiple small lipid droplets within the cytoplasm of brown adipocytes, as opposed to the single large droplet found in white adipocytes.

Question 8

Fully differentiated white adipocytes are large cells, typically having diameters of approximately what size?

Accepted Answer

Fully differentiated white adipocytes are typically around 100 micrometers in diameter, as they are large cells primarily filled with a single lipid droplet.

Question 9

Ten days after birth a full-term newborn boy develops firm, erythematous nodules, and plaques over his trunk, arms, buttocks, thighs, and cheeks. His mother's pregnancy was complicated by placenta previa and his airway was cleared of aspirated meconium immediately after birth. A biopsy of subcutaneous tissue shows necrosis within the brown adipose tissue. What metabolic activity is liable to be affected in this patient?

Accepted Answer

The biopsy shows necrosis within the brown adipose tissue, which is primarily responsible for non-shivering thermogenesis through the oxidation of fatty acids. This process is likely affected in this patient.

Question 10

A 44-year-old African-American woman visits her family physician for a physical examination at the urging of her husband. She has no current complaints and is taking no medications. She is allergic to erythromycin. She works as a software developer and lives with her 52 -year-old husband and 12-year-old daughter. She is a nonsmoker and drinks an occasional glass of wine when she and her husband go out to dinner. She is involved in no regular exercise. Her mother is 66 and suffers from type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension and had a myocardial infarction last year. The patient's father died of a stroke last year at the age of 72. On examination, the patient's blood pressure is $155 / 100 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$, pulse 84, weight $215 \mathrm{lb}$ (increased from $180 \mathrm{lb} 3$ years ago), and height $5 \mathrm{ft} .7 \mathrm{in}$. In this patient, during the period of weight gain which one of the following responses would be most likely in her white fat?

Accepted Answer

During weight gain, white adipose tissue typically increases the incorporation of fatty acids into triglycerides for storage, leading to an increase in fat mass.

Quiz 6: Adipose Tissue