brown adipose cell

Brown adipose cells are a specialized type of connective tissue cell found in mammals, primarily responsible for generating heat through a process called nonshivering thermogenesis. Unlike white adipose cells, which store fat for energy reserves and insulation, brown adipose cells contain numerous mitochondria and a protein called thermogenin (UCP1).12

When exposed to cold, hormones trigger thermogenin in brown adipose cells. This uncouples electron transport in the mitochondria, causing energy to be released as heat rather than stored as ATP. This is crucial for newborns and hibernating animals to prevent hypothermia. While brown adipose tissue is abundant in infants, it typically transforms into white adipose tissue during human development, though precursors may remain in adults.1