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Glycerol

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Glycerol is a simple alcohol composed of a 3 carbon chain with 3 associated hydroxyl groups. It may be esterified with:

  • fatty acids, to form mono-, di- or triglycerides
  • phosphoric acid and fatty acids, to form polar membrane lipids
  • sugar residues and fatty acids

Free plasma glycerol may be liberated by triglyceride breakdown during lipolysis. It is then able to enter cells to progress through either glycolysis or gluconeogenesis.


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