A triglyceride is formed when glycerol combines with three fatty acids by
- A. hydrolysis, forming glycosidic bonds
- B. condensation, forming ester bonds and releasing three molecules of water
- C. oxidation, forming peptide bonds
- D. reduction, forming hydrogen bonds
Explanation
Each of the three hydroxyl groups of glycerol reacts with the carboxyl group of a fatty acid, so three ester bonds form and three water molecules are released. Digestion reverses this by hydrolysis, adding water back and freeing the fatty acids and glycerol for absorption. Glycosidic bonds join sugars and peptide bonds join amino acids, so neither term applies to a lipid.
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