glyceride

views updated May 14 2018

glyceride (acylglycerol) A fatty-acid ester of glycerol. Esterification can occur at one, two, or all three hydroxyl groups of the glycerol molecule producing monoglycerides, diglycerides, and triglycerides respectively. Triglycerides are the major constituent of fats and oils found in living organisms. Alternatively, one of the hydroxyl groups may be esterified with a phosphate group forming a phosphoglyceride (see phospholipid) or a sugar forming a glycolipid.

glyceride

views updated May 23 2018

glyceride An ester formed from glycerol and between 1 and 3 fatty-acid molecules, respectively designated mono-, di-, or tri-glyceride. Glycerides serve variously as sources of energy, and triglycerides (lipids) also serve as thermal and mechanical insulators.

glyceride

views updated May 29 2018

glyceride An ester formed from glycerol and between one and three fatty-acid molecules, respectively designated mono-, di-, or triglyceride. Glycerides serve variously as sources of energy, and triglycerides (lipids) also serve as thermal and mechanical insulators.

glyceride

views updated May 21 2018

glyc·er·ide / ˈglisəˌrīd/ • n. a fatty acid ester of glycerol.