ACYLGLYCEROL Meaning and
Definition
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Acylglycerol is a term used in biochemistry and organic chemistry to describe a class of lipids, specifically referring to molecules that are derived from glycerol and contain one or more acyl (fatty acid) groups. Glycerol, also known as glycerin, is a three-carbon alcohol with hydroxyl groups on each carbon.
In acylglycerols, one or more of these hydroxyl groups on the glycerol molecule are esterified with fatty acids, resulting in the formation of ester linkages. The fatty acids are long-chain carboxylic acids, consisting of a hydrocarbon chain terminated by a carboxyl group. The number and arrangement of these acyl groups on the glycerol backbone determine the specific type of acylglycerol.
The most common types of acylglycerols are triglycerides, which consist of three fatty acids esterified to glycerol. Other examples include diglycerides, which have two fatty acids attached to glycerol, and monoglycerides, containing only one fatty acid.
Acylglycerols are the main constituents of fats and oils found in plants, animals, and microorganisms. They serve as a concentrated energy source and are involved in various physiological processes, such as energy storage, insulation, and signaling. Additionally, acylglycerols are important in food science and nutrition due to their roles in taste, texture, and shelf-life of various food products.
Common Misspellings for ACYLGLYCEROL
- zcylglycerol
- scylglycerol
- wcylglycerol
- qcylglycerol
- axylglycerol
- avylglycerol
- afylglycerol
- adylglycerol
- actlglycerol
- acglglycerol
- achlglycerol
- aculglycerol
- ac7lglycerol
- ac6lglycerol
- acykglycerol
- acypglycerol
- acyoglycerol
- acylflycerol
- acylvlycerol
Etymology of ACYLGLYCEROL
The word "acylglycerol" is derived from a combination of two terms: "acyl" and "glycerol".
1. "Acyl" is derived from the term "acyl group" or "acyl radical", which refers to a functional group consisting of a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to an alkyl or aryl group. The term "acyl" originates from the French word "acyle", which is a derivative of "acide" meaning "acid". The "yl" suffix is commonly used in organic chemistry to signify a substituent.
2. "Glycerol" is a compound present in many lipids and is an alcohol with three hydroxyl (OH) groups. The term "glycerol" is derived from the Greek word "glykeros", meaning "sweet", as it has a sweet taste.
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