lipolysis

n., pl., -ses (-sēz').
The hydrolysis of lipids.

lipolytic lip'o·lyt'ic (lĭp'ə-lĭt'ĭk, lī'pə-) adj.

The breakdown of storage lipids in living organisms. Most long-term energy reserves are in the form of triglycerides in fats and oils. When these are needed, e.g. during starvation, lipase enzymes convert the triglycerides into glycerol and the component fatty acids. These are then transported to tissues and oxidized to provide energy.

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The hydrolysis of fats to glycerol and fatty acids. See lipase.

The breakdown of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.

The hydrolytic breakdown of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.

The breakdown, splitting up or decomposition of fat.