What is the term for the stored form of fats in the body?

The stored form of fats in the body is referred to as triglycerides. Triglycerides are molecules made up of three fatty acids bonded to a glycerol backbone. They are the main constituents of body fat in humans and other animals, as well as vegetable fat. When the body takes in more calories than it needs for immediate energy, the surplus energy is stored in adipose tissues as triglycerides. This stored fat serves as a form of energy reserve that can be utilized during times of energy deficit, such as between meals or during exercise.

Cholesterol, while important for bodily functions such as building cell membranes and producing hormones, is not primarily a stored form of fat. Phospholipids, another component of cell membranes, also do not serve as a reserve of fat in the same way triglycerides do. Saturated fats refer to a type of fat that is solid at room temperature and can contribute to health issues if consumed excessively, but they are not specifically the term for stored fats in the body.