In an introduction to lipids, what is the primary form of fat found in the human diet?

• A. Triacylglycerols (triglycerides)
• B. Sterols (e.g., cholesterol)
• C. Phospholipids
• D. Free fatty acids

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that lipids are a broad category of molecules that include fats, oils, sterols, phospholipids, and free fatty acids, each with different roles and structures in the diet and body.
2. Recognize that the primary form of fat consumed in the human diet is the one that serves as the main energy storage molecule in foods, especially in animal fats and plant oils.
3. Recall that triacylglycerols (also called triglycerides) consist of three fatty acid chains attached to a glycerol backbone, making them highly efficient for energy storage and transport.
4. Compare triacylglycerols with other lipid types: sterols (like cholesterol) are important for cell membranes and hormone synthesis, phospholipids are key components of cell membranes, and free fatty acids are usually breakdown products rather than storage forms.
5. Conclude that because triacylglycerols are the most abundant form of fat in foods and the main dietary fat, they are the primary form of fat found in the human diet.