fat cell
Energy storage unit
A fat cell is a cell specialized for storing energy as fat.
The human body contains billions of them, concentrated in adipose tissue beneath the skin and around organs.
Fat cells expand and shrink as they store or release lipids, but their number remains relatively stable in adulthood—weight gain typically enlarges existing cells rather than creating new ones.
Also called adipocyte.
Excess body fat condition
- insulin resistanceReduced cellular hormone sensitivity
- metabolic syndromeClustered cardiovascular risk factors
- type 2 diabetesChronic insulin resistance condition
- inflammationProtective tissue response
cardiovascular risk · body composition · weight gain · adiposity · chronic disease
Glycerol plus three acids
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- omega-3Polyunsaturated dietary fat
- omega-6Polyunsaturated fatty acid class
lipoprotein · hydrophobic · esterification · lipogenesis · lipolysis
Recognizing meaningful differences
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
apoptosis · turnover · progenitor · commitment · expansion · remodeling
Capturing power for later
- caloriesMeasures of food energy
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
fuel reserve · ATP · thermogenesis · catabolism · ketosis · metabolic rate · fasting · mobilization
Fat-derived hunger regulator
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
- hormoneBody's chemical messenger
- endocrineInternally secreting gland system
- insulin sensitivityCells' glucose uptake ability
Collagen-producing connective tissue cells
- collagenStructural body protein
- vascularizationFormation of blood vessels
- subcutaneousBelow the skin
- visceralArising from deep instinct
Gel surrounding the nucleus
- nucleusCentral 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
- metabolic syndromeClustered cardiovascular risk factors
- type 2 diabetesChronic insulin resistance condition
inflammation · cardiovascular risk · body composition · weight gain · adiposity · chronic disease
triglyceride
Glycerol plus three acids
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- omega-3Polyunsaturated dietary fat
omega-6 · lipoprotein · hydrophobic · esterification · lipogenesis · lipolysis
differentiation
Recognizing meaningful differences
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
maturation · apoptosis · turnover · progenitor · commitment · expansion · remodeling
energy storage
Capturing power for later
- caloriesMeasures of food energy
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
fuel reserve · oxidation · ATP · thermogenesis · catabolism · ketosis · metabolic rate · fasting · mobilization · beta-oxidation
leptin
Fat-derived hunger regulator
fibroblasts
Collagen-producing connective tissue cells
- collagenStructural body protein
- vascularizationFormation of blood vessels
- subcutaneousBelow the skin
cytoplasm
Gel surrounding the nucleus
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
endoplasmic reticulum · peroxisome · cytoskeleton · vacuole · organelle
- body cellsred blood cells, white blood cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets
- cellscells, blood cells, nerve cells, brain cells, mitosis
- skin anatomydermis, epidermis, hypodermis, subcutis, cutis