Glycerol

Definition

Glycerol is a simple polyol compound that serves as the backbone for triglycerides and phospholipids. It plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism and energy production in microorganisms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Glycerol can be phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to form glycerol-3-phosphate, which enters glycolysis.
2. In microbial metabolism, glycerol can be used as a carbon source under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
3. Glycerol is released during the hydrolysis of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol by lipase enzymes.
4. Certain bacteria can ferment glycerol to produce valuable chemicals like ethanol and 1,3-propanediol.
5. Glycerol can also be converted into dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), an intermediate in glycolysis.

Review Questions

• What enzyme phosphorylates glycerol to form glycerol-3-phosphate?
• How is glycerol utilized in both aerobic and anaerobic microbial metabolism?
• What are the products of triglyceride hydrolysis?

Related terms

Triglyceride: A lipid composed of one glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acids.

Lipase: An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP): An intermediate in glycolysis formed from the conversion of glycerol.