by 
The Curious Bag
-
A triglyceride is a type of fat molecule that exists in human blood plasma and fat cells. When excess calories are consumed by a person, they are converted into triglyceride molecules that are then stored in fat cells.
Atoms within Triglycerides
Triglycerides are organic molecules that contain atoms of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Glycerin
The heart of a triglyceride molecule is glycerin, also known as glycerol. Glycerin is a 3-carbon molecule containing 3 hydroxyl groups where fatty acid chains can "connect."
Fatty Acids
Fatty acid are long hydrocarbon chains that attach to a glycerin molecule. When a fatty acid chain is connected to each of the 3 hydroxyl groups on glycerin, the entire complex is called a triglyceride.
Saturated Fatty Acids
Saturated fatty acids contain only single bonds among their carbons. They are very straight molecules and form triglycerides that can be packed together very tightly; these are the dense fats that are more harmful to human cardiovascular health.
Unsaturated Fatty Acids
Unsaturated fatty acids contain some double bonds among their carbons. They are bent molecules and form triglycerides that cannot pack together very tightly; these are less dense fats and are considered less harmful to human cardiovascular health.
Source:
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC