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The Curious Bag
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A triglyceride is a form of fat, important to the everyday function of the human body. Triglyceride not only begin the process of breathing, but work to maintain an overall balanced system. Biologist Neil Campbell notes that without triglycerides, the body would have no means of insulation, and death would result.
Contributions to Membrane Structure
Triglycerides assist in forming lipid bilayers inside the body, which are essential in keeping the inside and outside of the cell away from one another. The triglyceride acts as the polar (attracted to water) half of the molecule, and when combined with the fatty acids in the body, which are non-polar, they work to keep bacteria outside cells.
Energy Creation
Triglycerides provide the cells of the body the initial energy needed to perform the process of cellular respiration. Cellular respiration occurs when food molecules are broken down into ATP, which is the main source of energy. Campbell notes this is the overall process that keeps the body alive.
Long-Term Energy Storage
Once the cellular respiration process is over, Campbell notes that cells need to have leftover energy to perform everyday activity. Triglycerides provide the main source of energy for the heart muscles. Regular exercise promotes triglyceride storage in cells.
Dietary Management
Triglycerides are found mostly in meat and dairy products. It is important to keep these as part of a balanced diet because the stomach digests them at a faster rate than starches. This means the triglycerides enter the bloodstream faster, allowing the cells of the body to metabolize.
Interaction in the Human Body
Once ingested, triglycerides are taken from the bloodstream by the liver. The liver then packages the triglycerides into tiny spheres called lipoproteins. The lipoproteins are released into the circulation, and delivered to the cells of the body. This process allows the systems of the body to function properly.
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