What is the difference between white and brown fat?

Answer 1

White fat is found in adults, and brown fat is found in infants. (this theory is obsolete now.in the April publication of the New England Journal of Medicine, not one, but THREE independent labs proved the existence of brown fat in adults)

Differences between brown fat and white fat are :

1. Brown fat deposits around vital internal organs and along back and sternum.while white fat is found under skin.
2. Brown fat cells have mitochondria, hence it is metabolically active. While white fat is not.
3. Brown fat can generate ATP hence it can generate heat. White fat can`t.

*note white fat cannot generate heat but it does insulate the body which helps to keep the body temperature at a steady level

Answer 2

White fat stores energy in the form of fat droplets and is used for insulation, while brown fat generates heat by burning fat through a process called thermogenesis. Brown fat is also rich in mitochondria, which gives it its characteristic brown color.

Answer 3

The difference between them is that white fat is found in adults and brown fat is found in children.