Triglycerides are formed by the condensation of one molecule of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acid
A triglyceride forms when one glycerol molecule joins to three fatty acid molecules. Each join releases a water molecule — this type of reaction is called condensation.
Formula
Glycerol + 3 Fatty Acids → Triglyceride + 3H₂O
Real World
The white fat visible in a rasher of bacon is largely triglycerides stored in adipocytes — the same molecule your body synthesises when you consume excess calories from a McDonald's meal.
Exam Focus
State that THREE ester bonds form and THREE water molecules are released — one per condensation reaction.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
How well did you know this?