VII. Mobilization and Transport of Adipose Fatty Acid

Storage in adipocytes as triacylglycerol

Fatty acids are stored primarily in adipocytes as triacylglycerol. Triacylglycerol must be hydrolyzed to release the fatty acids.

Adipocytes are found mostly in the abdominal cavity and subcutaneous tissue.
Adipocytes are metabolically very active; their stored triacylglycerol is constantly hydrolyzed and resynthesized.

The structure of a typical triacylglycerol (triglyceride).