BRAINCAKETriglycerides
A triglyceride is made of one glycerol molecule joined to three fatty acids. Fats and oils are triglycerides.
Each fatty acid joins to one of the three –OH groups of glycerol in a condensation reaction. The –OH of glycerol reacts with the –COOH of the fatty acid, a molecule of water is released, and an ester bond forms. Three fatty acids give three ester bonds and release three water molecules:
glycerol + 3 fatty acids → triglyceride + 3 H2O
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Key terms in this lesson
- lipase
- An enzyme that hydrolyses the ester bonds in triglycerides (lipids), releasing fatty acids and glycerol.
More in Biological Molecules
- Glycogen
- Cellulose
- The Nature of Lipids
- Fatty Acids and Glycerol
- Phospholipids
- Unit Membrane
- Test for Lipids
- Amino-acids
All 25 lessons in Biological Molecules · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics