Explain the composition of triglyceride.
A triglyceride is a type of lipid composed of glycerol and fatty acids. Glycerol is a trihydroxy propane molecule containing three hydroxyl groups.
In triglycerides, the fatty acids are esterified with glycerol. A fatty acid has a carboxyl group attached to an R group, which could be a methyl, ethyl, or higher number of -CH₂ groups (1 carbon to 19 carbons). These fatty acids could be saturated (without double bond) or unsaturated (with one or more C=C double bonds).
Triglycerides are also called fats and oils based on their melting point. Oils have lower melting point and remain as oil in winters.
Explanation
The textbook context clearly explains that triglycerides are formed when fatty acids are esterified with glycerol. The context mentions glycerol as 'trihydroxy propane' and describes fatty acids as having a carboxyl group attached to an R group. The distinction between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as the classification as fats and oils based on melting point, are all directly stated in the provided text.