adipocyte
noun
ad·i·po·cyte
ˈa-di-pō-ˌsīt 
: a specialized cell of adipose tissue that stores excess energy in the form of triglyceride droplets and secretes various substances (such as leptin) that play a role in various physiological processes (such as regulation of food intake or lipid metabolism) : fat cell
Note: When the body requires additional energy, the droplets of triglycerides contained in adipocytes undergo enzymatic hydrolysis to produce free fatty acids and glycerol.
When we eat energy-rich foods, our bodies have to store any excess energy not burned up by physical activity. Most is stored as fat in adipocytes, but when these eventually fill up, excess lipid spills over into other tissues …—
Phyllida Brown
Phyllida BrownLeptin is an adipocyte-derived circulating hormone that provides information to the brain about energy stores.—I. Sadaf Farooqi et al.
I. Sadaf Farooqi et al.Dictionary Entries Near adipocyte
Cite this Entry
“Adipocyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adipocyte. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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adipocyte
noun
ad·i·po·cyte
ˈad-ə-pə-ˌsīt
: a specialized cell of adipose tissue that stores excess energy in the form of triglyceride droplets and secretes various substances (as leptin) that play a role in various physiological processes (as regulation of food intake or lipid metabolism) : fat cell
Note: When the body requires additional energy, the droplets of triglycerides contained in adipocytes undergo enzymatic hydrolysis to produce free fatty acids and glycerol.
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