What type of lipid is formed from three fatty acids linked to one glycerol molecule?

Triacylglycerol, commonly known as triglyceride, is the correct answer because it specifically refers to a lipid composed of three fatty acid molecules esterified to a single glycerol molecule. This structure is significant for energy storage in organisms; triglycerides are stored in adipose tissue and can be broken down to release energy when needed.

The formation of triacylglycerols involves the process of esterification, where the hydroxyl groups of glycerol react with the carboxyl groups of fatty acids, resulting in the release of water molecules and the establishment of ester bonds. This characteristic structure allows triacylglycerols to efficiently pack into fat droplets, making them ideal for energy reserves.

Phospholipids, on the other hand, are made from two fatty acids and a glycerol backbone, along with a phosphate group, which is crucial for forming cell membranes but does not fit the description provided in the question. Saturated fats refer to a type of fatty acid that contains no double bonds between carbon atoms and can exist in both triglyceride and phospholipid forms, but that does not define the specific lipid structure in question. Steroids are a completely different class of lipids characterized by a four-ring structure and do not