Final answer:
Adipose cells viewed under a microscope appear empty due to the extraction of lipids during sample preparation, but they actually store triglycerides. White adipose tissue stores these lipids as a single large droplet and provides energy, insulation, and organ protection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under a microscope, adipose cells appear white and seemingly empty; however, they are actually filled with molecules of triglycerides. Adipose tissue, primarily composed of adipocytes or fat cells, is a type of connective tissue that stores fat for energy. When viewed under a microscope, these cells display large, clear spaces where fat was stored because the lipids are extracted during the process of preparing the tissue for microscopic examination. The small nuclei can be seen as black dots at the periphery of the cells. White adipose tissue, in particular, stores lipids as a single large droplet, making it less metabolically active than brown adipose tissue, which contains many small droplets and a higher metabolic rate. The adipose tissue ensures energy metabolism, serves as insulation, and provides cushioning for body organs.