1. Glycerol: This is a three-carbon alcohol molecule with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to each carbon.
2. Fatty Acids: These are long chains of hydrocarbons with a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one end.
When these two molecules combine, they form a triglyceride, which is the basic structure of fat.
Here's how it works:
* Esterification: The carboxyl group of a fatty acid reacts with the hydroxyl group of glycerol, releasing a water molecule and forming an ester bond.
* Triglyceride Formation: This process repeats three times, attaching three fatty acids to one glycerol molecule.
The type and length of the fatty acids attached to glycerol determine the properties of the fat, such as its melting point and consistency.
