Final answer:
A triglyceride is formed by three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule through dehydration synthesis, where they form ester bonds and serve as a significant energy storage in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
A triglyceride consists of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule. Fatty acids are long chains of hydrocarbons with a carboxyl group at one end, and they are connected to the glycerol backbone via a dehydration synthesis reaction. This process involves the removal of a water molecule with each fatty acid joining to the glycerol, forming ester bonds between the carboxyl group of the fatty acids and the hydroxyl groups of the glycerol.
Triglycerides are important biological molecules that serve as a primary form of energy storage within the body. They are found extensively in adipose tissue (body fat) and are a major constituent of sebum (skin oils), providing more than double the caloric content of carbohydrates and proteins.