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One of the good things (or bad things, depending on your perspective) about adipose tissue is that it can store all the energy (in the form of fat) you throw at it. In fact, it's the only energy storage form of the body capable of this feat. So to a fat cell, there is no such thing as excessive energy; give it more fat and it'll store more fat.

Admittedly, the above description of the situation is a little simplified; it assumes that fat cells operate in isolation, which isn't true. Fat cells are very sensitive to hormones circulating in the blood. For example, the above only occurs under the influence of insulin, a hormone that circulates at higher levels during meals. When insulin levels are relatively low (eg, between meals), fat cells take the "excess energy" that was stored during the meal and break it down into usable forms of energy.

There are many other ways to illustrate that adipose tissue does not operate independently of the rest of the body, but I'll only give one more here. In addition to being a major site for storing energy, fat cells are also a major endocrine organ. One major hormone they produce is called leptin. In rodents (and in humans, to a lesser extent), leptin levels in the blood are roughly proportional to the amount of adipose tissue in the body. Leptin has important actions in the brain to regulate hunger and activity level. High leptin levels (which indicate lots of fat is present) suppress hunger, increase activity, and stimulate the breakdown of adipose tissue into usable energy.

These two examples of how adipose tissue is regulated illustrates the important concept of negative feedback, a concept very common in physiology and medicine. When an imbalance occurs (eg, having too much adipose tissue), a signal is made (eg, high leptin levels) that triggers to return of balance (eg, burning fat and returning adipose tissue to its normal amount).

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Which type of connective tissue functions as a reserve energy supply for the body?

Adipose tissue functions as a reserve energy supply for the body. It stores excess energy in the form of triglycerides and releases it as needed.


Which connective tissue reserves energy?

Adipose tissue (fat) acts as a reserve source of energy.


What type of tissue stores fat?

Adipose tissue. This is a loose connective tissue comprised of fibroblasts, adipocytes, and immune cells.


What type of tissue that stores lipid molecules?

These are called fat cells or adipose cells.


How adipose tissue can store fats?

Adipose tissue is body fat. In humans the adipose tissue is right under the skin. It also goes around internal organs and is found in bones and breast tissue. Adipose is mainly used as a reserve for energy in the body.


What us another name for adipose?

Adipose means the part of the body that keeps fat, both healthy and unhealthy.


What tissue stores energy?

Adipose tissue, also known as fat tissue, stores energy in the form of triglycerides. It serves as a reserve of fuel to be utilized when the body needs additional energy. Excess energy from food is converted into triglycerides and stored in adipose tissue for later use.


What is the collection of fat cells?

The collection of fat cells in the body is known as adipose tissue. Adipose tissue serves several important functions, including energy storage, insulation, and cushioning for organs. It is primarily composed of adipocytes, or fat cells, which store triglycerides and release fatty acids when energy is needed. There are two main types of adipose tissue: white adipose tissue, which stores energy, and brown adipose tissue, which helps generate heat.


What is Adipose tissue to the skin?

Adipose tissue is deep to the skin; skin is superficial to adipose tissue. Adipose tissue is fat.


What tissue is specialized for energy storage and thermal insulation?

Adipose tissue is specialized for energy storage and thermal insulation in the body. It consists of adipocytes, which store triglycerides as a long-term energy reserve, and also provide thermal insulation to help regulate body temperature.


Why dietary fat is converted to adipose?

Dietary fat is converted to adipose tissue through a process called lipogenesis. When there is an excess intake of dietary fat and calories, the body stores the excess energy as adipose tissue for later use. Adipose tissue serves as a long-term energy storage in the body.


What tissue provides protective padding insulation and is a nutrient reserve is knowwn as what tissue?

That would be adipose tissue. It stores energy in the form of lipids as well as provides insulation to the body.