FATS ( = True Fats, Triglycerides, Neutral Fats)
- They are esters of fatty acids and 3-carbon trihydric alcohol glycerol (= glycerine).
- True fat is also called triglyceride.
- Ester is formed due to reaction between carboxylic group of an organic acid and hydroxyl group of an alcohol producing an ester linkage.
- Fats are hydrolysed by enzyme lipase into their constituent fatty acids and glycerol.
- They are also hyrolysed by means of alkali. They yields glycerol and alkali salts of fatty acids or soaps.
- The phenomenon is called saponification.
- True fats are neutral in reaction and are, therefore, also called neutral fats.
- They do not have any colour, taste and odour.
- Fats are stored as droplets or globules.
- In animal bodies they occur inside special cells called adipocytes.
- The tissue storing fat is called adipose tissue.
- In plants the fat is commonly stored in seeds.
- Fat storing seeds are called oil seeds, e.g., Rape-seed, Mustard, Sunflower, Cotton & Groundnut.
- Fat is high energy food reserve in both plants are animals.