What is the structure of a triglyceride?

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Prepare for the WJEC Food Science and Nutrition Level 3 Test. Use multiple choice questions with instant feedback for effective study. Be confident and ready for the exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the structure of a triglyceride?

Explanation:
The structure is a glycerol backbone with three fatty acids attached. The glycerol molecule has three hydroxyl groups, and each forms an ester bond with a fatty acid, giving one glycerol and three fatty acids in total. This arrangement is called a triacylglycerol (triglyceride). If only two fatty acids were present, it would be a diglyceride; if there were three glycerol units, that wouldn’t be a single triglyceride; and four fatty acids would exceed the capacity of the glycerol backbone.

The structure is a glycerol backbone with three fatty acids attached. The glycerol molecule has three hydroxyl groups, and each forms an ester bond with a fatty acid, giving one glycerol and three fatty acids in total. This arrangement is called a triacylglycerol (triglyceride). If only two fatty acids were present, it would be a diglyceride; if there were three glycerol units, that wouldn’t be a single triglyceride; and four fatty acids would exceed the capacity of the glycerol backbone.

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