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Why are fats so 'energy dense'?

Updated: 8/10/2023
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12y ago

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Fat contain twice as much energy as carbohydrates do, when they are used in respiration. This is because fats are comparatively low in oxygen atoms (the carbon of lipids is more reduced than that of carbohydrates), so more of the oxygen in the respiration of fats comes from the atmosphere. In the oxidation of carbohydrates, more oxygen is present in the carbohydrate molecule itself. Fats and oils therefore a concentrated energy store.

source: Allott, Andrew, and David Mindorff. Biology: IB Diploma Course Companion. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2010. Print.

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12y ago
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11y ago

fats are so energy dense due to their lack of water

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13y ago

Because they contain relavtively little water they can carry much more energy per molecule than any other kind of compound found in either plants or animals.

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12y ago

w'hey naughty!

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Q: Why are fats so 'energy dense'?
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Related questions

Which nutrients are we getting for energy?

When we consume food, we get macronutrtients. These include carbohydrates, fats and proteins, the amount depneds on what food/foods are consumed. In terms of energy, fats provide 9 kcal/g, carbs 4 kcal/g and proteins 7 kcal/g. Therefore the most energy dense nutrient is fat and so on.


Do fats and oil store energy?

Fats and oils do not store energy. Fats eat up energy. This is why overweight people are out of energy a lot of the time, and thus why they gain weight so quickly.


What types of food store the most energy?

Fats tend to be the most calorie dense and provide the most energy. For example, fats have 9 calories per gram whereas carbs and protein and 4-5 per gram. That's why we don't need large quantities of fat. It's calorie dense!


Why are fats called energy banks of your body?

Fats are called the energy banks of the body because the body uses fat to create energy. The fats can be used to create heat and energy, to insulate the organs and nerves inside the body, and to regulate the fat soluble vitamins.


Why are fats so difficult for the body to breakdown?

fats are more complex than other forms of carbohydrates so it take more energy for the body to break them down, so generally if it doesn't need to it doesn't break them down if your body needs the energy it will break down the fats


How do fats help the body?

fats are used for the resynthesis of ATP, when ATP is broken down, it releases energy. So fats are a fuel for the body.


Why do chicken's fats float on the surface of tinola soup?

The chicken fat is less dense than the rest of the soup, so it floats on the surface.


Does oil sinks in water?

Oil does not sink in water. Almost all oils and fats are less dense than water so they will float.


Why does water sink in oil?

Oil does not sink in water. Almost all oils and fats are less dense than water so they will float.


Are fats in food a rich source of energy?

Yes fats are the most calorific energy source.


Of what importance are fats to plants?

Fats are energy source of the plants.


How does fats affect the body?

your body needs fat so that it can be broken down to use energy.