Skip to main content
Back

Triacylglycerols definitions

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/14
  • Triacylglycerols
    Molecules with three fatty acid chains attached to a glycerol backbone, serving as major energy storage and thermal insulation.
  • Triglycerides
    Alternate name for triacylglycerols, commonly used in textbooks and lectures to describe the same lipid structure.
  • Glycerolipids
    Lipids containing fatty acid chains linked to a glycerol molecule, forming a structural basis for triacylglycerols.
  • Fatty Acid
    Hydrocarbon chains that can vary in length and saturation, forming the tails of triacylglycerols and other lipids.
  • Glycerol
    Three-carbon molecule acting as the backbone for glycerolipids, connecting fatty acid chains via ester linkages.
  • Ester Linkage
    Bond formed between a fatty acid and glycerol through dehydration synthesis, crucial for triacylglycerol structure.
  • Dehydration Synthesis
    Chemical reaction that joins fatty acids to glycerol, releasing water and forming ester bonds in lipid molecules.
  • Simple Triacylglycerol
    Type of triacylglycerol with three identical fatty acid chains attached to a single glycerol molecule.
  • Mixed Triacylglycerol
    Type of triacylglycerol with different fatty acid chains attached to the glycerol backbone, offering structural diversity.
  • Adipocyte
    Specialized cell responsible for synthesizing and storing triacylglycerols, also known as a fat cell.
  • Energy Storage
    Function of triacylglycerols, providing more energy per unit mass than carbohydrates for long-term metabolic needs.
  • Thermal Insulation
    Role of triacylglycerols under the skin, helping to maintain body temperature by reducing heat loss.
  • Fatty Acid Chain
    Linear or branched hydrocarbon segment attached to glycerol, often referred to as a tail or chain in lipid structures.
  • Adipose Tissue
    Collection of adipocytes in the body, serving as a reservoir for triacylglycerols and contributing to thermoregulation.