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glyceride

chemical compound
Also known as: acylglycerol

Quick Summary

A glyceride is a chemical compound formed from glycerol and fatty acids. Fats, which are essential nutrients found in both plants and animals, are primarily composed of glycerides. These compounds serve as a significant storehouse of energy for living organisms, containing more than twice the energy of carbohydrates or proteins by weight.12

Chemically, fats are esters created when three fatty acid molecules react with one glycerol molecule. While fats are typically solid at room temperature, they liquefy at higher temperatures. Glycerides are crucial components of biological systems, functioning as stored metabolic energy and forming structural parts of cell membranes. They are also synthesized and metabolized within living organisms, playing vital roles in energy storage and utilization.12345

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