Understanding:
• Triglycerides are formed by condensation from three fatty acids and one glycerol
Triglycerides are the largest class of lipids and function primarily as long-term energy storage molecules
- Animals tend to store triglycerides as fats (solid), while plants tend to store triglycerides as oils (liquid)
Triglycerides are formed when condensation reactions occur between one glycerol and three fatty acids
- The hydroxyl groups of glycerol combine with the carboxyl groups of the fatty acids to form an ester linkage
- This condensation reaction results in the formation of three molecules of water
Triglycerides can be either saturated or unsaturated, depending on the composition of the fatty acid chains
Formation of a Triglyceride
