Triglycerides

Triglycerides consist of three fatty acids joined to a glycerol molecule by three ester bonds in a condensation reaction.Glycerol is an alcohol (propane-1,2,3-triol). Fatty acids are long-chain carboxylic acids.Different triglycerides have different properties because they contain different fatty acids.Fatty acids all have a -COOH group at the end. Some contain C=C double bonds and are said to be unsaturated. Others have no double bonds and are saturated.Monounsaturated fatty acids have one double bond. Polyunsaturated fatty acids have more than one double bond.Triglycerides have a high energy:mass ratio so are an excellent source of energy that can be stored in a small space.They are large and non-polar so do not affect the water potential and do not cause osmosis in cells.They have a high hydrogen:oxygen ratio so release water when oxidised and are therefore a source of water to animals especially those living in the desert.