A fat molecule consists of_________Group of answer choicesamino acidsfatty acidsglycerolThree fatty acids and glycerol

The correct answer to the question is "Three fatty acids and glycerol."

Explanation

Fat molecules, commonly referred to as triglycerides, are composed of two main components: glycerol and fatty acids. Specifically, a triglyceride consists of a glycerol molecule that is esterified with three fatty acid molecules.

1. Glycerol: This is a three-carbon alcohol that serves as the backbone for the fat molecule.
2. Fatty Acids: These are long hydrocarbon chains, which can be either saturated or unsaturated. Each fatty acid molecule attaches to one of the hydroxyl (-OH) groups of glycerol through an ester linkage.

These components combine through a process known as esterification, where the hydroxyl groups of glycerol react with the carboxyl groups of fatty acids, resulting in the formation of triglycerides. Understanding this structure is essential in biochemistry, as it relates to energy storage and metabolism in living organisms.

Final Answer

The fat molecule consists of three fatty acids and glycerol.