Lipids are organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. All lipids contain a high proportion of CHX2​ groups. Phospholipids also contain phosphorus.

All lipids have a low solubility in water but a high solubility in organic solvents (e.g., ethanol, tetrachloromethane).

Triglycerides are molecules that form fats or oils depending on the size of the molecule. The more carbon atoms, the higher the melting point because the intermolecular forces are stronger and more energy is required to overcome them.

Each triglyceride is made from glycerol combined with three fatty acids through a condensation reaction with the release of three molecules of water.

The fatty acids bind to the glycerol by means of ester bonds.

Triglycerides are broken down in a hydrolysis reaction with the chemical insertion of three molecules of water.