Lipids (Part 4 of 11) - Triacylglycerols / Triglycerides

Moof's Medical Biochemistry Video Course: http://moof-university.thinkific.com/courses/medical-biochemistry-for-usmle-step-1-exam

Questions Answered in This Video:

- What is a triacylglycerol / What is a triglyceride?
- What is the structure of a triacylglycerol / triglyceride?
- What is(are) the function(s) of triacylglycerols / triglycerides?
- Where are triacylglycerols / triglycerides primarily located?

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Video Content Summary:

In a word, triacylglycerols or triglycerides are fats. More specifically, they are three fatty acids connected to a glycerol backbone by ester linkages. The ester linkage forms between the OH groups of glycerol and of each fatty acids, and this occurs via a dehydration synthesis. The three fatty acids attached to the glycerol backbone can have varying R groups, and can be saturated or unsaturated. Remember: fats that contain a high concentration of unsaturated acyl groups tend to be liquids at room temperature (example: olive oil), while fats that contain a high concentration of saturated acyl groups tend to be solids at room temperature (example: butter).

The main function of triglycerides is fuel storage, as they contain fatty acids (which are highly reduced) in their structure. Triglycerides are located in fat reservoirs of cells called adipocytes. Should an organism require fatty acid energy, they'd be freed up from the glycerol backbone by enzymes called lipases, and they'd be oxidized in the mitochondria. If that energy is not mobilized, however, it remains stored in triglycerides. Because triglycerides allow fatty acids to be packed together fairly tightly, they are a highly efficient energy storage form. Furthermore, they solve the problem(s) that would be caused by allowing fatty acids to roam freely, altering pH levels. Even more, the fact that triglycerides are hydrophobic and anhydrous gives them an edge over glycogen as an energy storage form, as triglycerides, unlike glycogen, does not need to be hydrated, which allows animals to carry a lighter load.

Another function of triglycerides is insulation. Layers of fat help keep heat from escaping our bodies. This isn't too important for humans, since we have clothes and homes and fire and heaters and other things we can use to keep ourselves warm in the cold. For animals, however, it's of significant importance, especially for polar bears that hibernate.

Видео Lipids (Part 4 of 11) - Triacylglycerols / Triglycerides канала Moof University