Triacylglycerol

Definition

Triacylglycerol, often called triglyceride, is a lipid molecule made of three fatty acid chains linked to a glycerol backbone. It serves as a major form of energy storage in animals and plants.

Related terms

Fatty acid: A long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end, which can be saturated or unsaturated and is a component of many lipids.

Glycerol:

A simple three-carbon alcohol that serves as the backbone to which fatty acids are attached in triacylglycerols and phospholipids.

Saponification:

A chemical reaction involving the hydrolysis of triglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids, typically using an alkali, leading to soap formation