Which molecule is composed of one glycerol backbone and three fatty acids?

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Multiple Choice

Which molecule is composed of one glycerol backbone and three fatty acids?

Explanation:
Triglycerides are built from a single glycerol molecule that has three hydroxyl groups, with each hydroxyl forming an ester bond to a fatty acid. This gives one glycerol backbone with three fatty acids attached, which is the defining structure of a triglyceride and why it serves as a major energy storage form in the body. In contrast, a phospholipid has two fatty acids plus a phosphate-containing head group, a monoglyceride carries only one fatty acid, and sterols are based on a ring structure rather than a glycerol backbone with three fatty acids.

Triglycerides are built from a single glycerol molecule that has three hydroxyl groups, with each hydroxyl forming an ester bond to a fatty acid. This gives one glycerol backbone with three fatty acids attached, which is the defining structure of a triglyceride and why it serves as a major energy storage form in the body.

In contrast, a phospholipid has two fatty acids plus a phosphate-containing head group, a monoglyceride carries only one fatty acid, and sterols are based on a ring structure rather than a glycerol backbone with three fatty acids.

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