adipocytes
Body's fat cells
Adipocytes are fat cells—the specialized cells that store energy as fat in the body.
They form adipose tissue, the body's main fat reservoir, and play roles in metabolism and hormone regulation.
The term appears in medical and biological contexts: Adipocytes expand when excess calories are stored as triglycerides.
Metabolic fat decomposition
- triglyceridesThree-chained fat molecules
- fatty acidsOrganic molecules in fats
- glycerolTrihydric alcohol, viscous, sweet
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
glucose · ATP · thermogenesis · beta-oxidation · acetyl-CoA · energy storage · catecholamines · glycolysis
Fat-derived hunger regulator
Central controlling part
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- endoplasmic reticulumCytoplasmic membrane network for synthesis
- peroxisomesOrganelles for detoxification
Excess body fat condition
- insulin resistanceReduced cellular hormone sensitivity
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
- inflammationProtective tissue response
Supportive biological matrix
- collagenStructural body protein
- fibroblastsCollagen-producing connective tissue cells
- subcutaneousBelow the skin
- visceral fatFat stored around organs
Recognizing meaningful differences
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- progenitorsOriginal ancestors of a lineage
lipolysis
Metabolic fat decomposition
- triglyceridesThree-chained fat molecules
- fatty acidsOrganic molecules in fats
- glycerolTrihydric alcohol, viscous, sweet
insulin · glucose · ATP · thermogenesis · beta-oxidation · acetyl-CoA · energy storage · catecholamines · glycolysis · energy balance
leptin
Fat-derived hunger regulator
nucleus
Central controlling part
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- endoplasmic reticulumCytoplasmic membrane network for synthesis
obesity
Excess body fat condition
- insulin resistanceReduced cellular hormone sensitivity
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
inflammation · type 2 diabetes · metabolic syndrome · fibrosis · hypoxia
connective tissue
Supportive biological matrix
- collagenStructural body protein
- fibroblastsCollagen-producing connective tissue cells
- subcutaneousBelow the skin
differentiation
Recognizing meaningful differences
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity