Triacylglycerol or Triacylglycerides
Start with the big picture
A TAG consists of glycerol esterified with three fatty acids; its fatty-acid composition distinguishes simple from mixed TAGs. Because TAGs are hydrophobic, adipocytes store them with little water, making them an energy-dense reserve. Chain length and saturation influence melting point, while greater unsaturation favors liquid oils. TAG metabolism spans synthesis in tissues and intestinal enterocytes, digestion and absorption, plasma transport in lipoproteins, and enzyme-mediated breakdown. The resulting fatty acids can undergo mitochondrial β-oxidation, while glycerol can enter liver gluconeogenesis. The lesson also connects key enzymes and pathways with clinical relevance, including the consequences of selected enzyme deficiencies and the use of fasting serum TAG reference values.
What you'll learn
- Describe TAG structure and distinguish simple from mixed forms.
- Relate fatty-acid chain length and saturation to TAG physical properties.
- Outline TAG synthesis, digestion, absorption, transport, and mobilization.
- Identify the metabolic fates of fatty acids and glycerol released from TAG.
- Recognize selected enzyme deficiencies and clinical associations involving TAG metabolism.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
