A fat molecule consists of two main components: glycerol and fatty acids. Glycerol is an alcohol with three carbons, five hydrogens, and three hydroxyl (OH) groups. ... Since fats consist of three fatty acids and a glycerol, they are also called triacylglycerols or triglycerides.

Is glycerol a simple fat?

Triglycerides are classified as simple lipids because they are formed from just two types of compounds: glycerol and fatty acids.

Is glycerol the same as fatty acid?

Glycerol vs Fatty Acids

Glycerol is a polyol having three hydroxyl groups (OH groups) and is termed as a trihydroxy sugar alcohol. Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxyl group (COOH) at the terminal of the fatty acid chain.