Answer
Fatty acids and triglycerides are related through dehydration synthesis (also known as condensation) and hydrolysis reactions, which involve the formation and breakdown of chemical bonds. These reactions are fundamental in the metabolism of lipids.
**Dehydration Synthesis (Condensation) Reaction:**
- Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction that links fatty acids and glycerol molecules together to form triglycerides (also called triacylglycerols).
- In this reaction, a molecule of water (H2O) is removed as a byproduct.
- Specifically, the -OH (hydroxyl) group from the glycerol molecule and the -H (hydrogen) atom from the fatty acid's carboxyl group combine to form water.
- The remaining portions of the glycerol and fatty acid molecules then join through a covalent bond known as an ester bond (or ester linkage).
- This ester bond between the glycerol and fatty acid results in the formation of a triglyceride molecule.
**Hydrolysis Reaction:**
- Hydrolysis is the reverse process of dehydration synthesis. It breaks down triglycerides into their constituent fatty acids and glycerol by adding a water molecule.
- In a hydrolysis reaction, a molecule of water is split into an -OH group and an -H group.
- The -OH group attaches to the glycerol molecule, while the -H group attaches to the fatty acid, effectively breaking the ester bond.
- This process repeats for each fatty acid attached to the glycerol backbone, releasing individual fatty acids and glycerol.
Here's a simplified representation of these reactions:
**Dehydration Synthesis (Formation of Triglyceride):**
```
H H H
| | |
H - C - O H - C - O H - C - O
| | |
H H H
Glycerol Fatty Acid Fatty Acid Fatty Acid
```
**Hydrolysis (Breakdown of Triglyceride):**
```
H - C - O H - C - O H - C - O
| | |
H H H
Glycerol Fatty Acid Fatty Acid Fatty Acid
↓
↓
H H H
| | |
H - C - O H - C - O H - C - O
| | |
H H H
Glycerol Fatty Acid Fatty Acid Fatty Acid
```
In summary, dehydration synthesis combines glycerol and fatty acids to form triglycerides by removing water, while hydrolysis breaks down triglycerides into their constituent parts (fatty acids and glycerol) by adding water. These reactions are central to the storage and utilization of energy in the form of fats in the body.
Work Step by Step
Fatty acids and triglycerides are related through dehydration synthesis (also known as condensation) and hydrolysis reactions, which involve the formation and breakdown of chemical bonds. These reactions are fundamental in the metabolism of lipids.
**Dehydration Synthesis (Condensation) Reaction:**
- Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction that links fatty acids and glycerol molecules together to form triglycerides (also called triacylglycerols).
- In this reaction, a molecule of water (H2O) is removed as a byproduct.
- Specifically, the -OH (hydroxyl) group from the glycerol molecule and the -H (hydrogen) atom from the fatty acid's carboxyl group combine to form water.
- The remaining portions of the glycerol and fatty acid molecules then join through a covalent bond known as an ester bond (or ester linkage).
- This ester bond between the glycerol and fatty acid results in the formation of a triglyceride molecule.
**Hydrolysis Reaction:**
- Hydrolysis is the reverse process of dehydration synthesis. It breaks down triglycerides into their constituent fatty acids and glycerol by adding a water molecule.
- In a hydrolysis reaction, a molecule of water is split into an -OH group and an -H group.
- The -OH group attaches to the glycerol molecule, while the -H group attaches to the fatty acid, effectively breaking the ester bond.
- This process repeats for each fatty acid attached to the glycerol backbone, releasing individual fatty acids and glycerol.
Here's a simplified representation of these reactions:
**Dehydration Synthesis (Formation of Triglyceride):**
```
H H H
| | |
H - C - O H - C - O H - C - O
| | |
H H H
Glycerol Fatty Acid Fatty Acid Fatty Acid
```
**Hydrolysis (Breakdown of Triglyceride):**
```
H - C - O H - C - O H - C - O
| | |
H H H
Glycerol Fatty Acid Fatty Acid Fatty Acid
↓
↓
H H H
| | |
H - C - O H - C - O H - C - O
| | |
H H H
Glycerol Fatty Acid Fatty Acid Fatty Acid
```
In summary, dehydration synthesis combines glycerol and fatty acids to form triglycerides by removing water, while hydrolysis breaks down triglycerides into their constituent parts (fatty acids and glycerol) by adding water. These reactions are central to the storage and utilization of energy in the form of fats in the body.
