Final answer:
Dietary triglycerides absorbed by intestinal cells are reassembled into triglycerides and packaged into chylomicrons, which are lipid-protein complexes facilitating their transport in the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Once absorbed into the intestinal cell, dietary triglycerides are re-assembled and packaged into chylomicrons before being released into circulation. These chylomicrons are water-soluble lipoproteins composed of reformed triglycerides, cholesterol, and a protein coat. They leave the intestinal cells (enterocytes) via exocytosis and enter the lymphatic system through the lacteals present in the villi of the intestine. Chylomicrons are too large to enter the blood capillaries directly, hence they initially travel via the lymphatic system and eventually enter the bloodstream through the thoracic duct. Once in circulation, they reach various tissues where lipoprotein lipase breaks down the triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol. The free fatty acids can then be used for energy or stored in adipose tissue as fat.