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Adipocyte facts for kids

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Adipocyte
[[Image:
Yellow adipose tissue in paraffin section - lipids washed out
|250px|]]
Yellow adipose tissue in paraffin
Latin adipocytus

Adipocytes, also known as lipocytes and fat cells, are the cells that primarily compose adipose tissue, specialized in storing energy as fat.

There are two types of adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), which are also known as white and brown fat, respectively, and comprise two types of fat cells.

Fat cells in some mice have been shown to drop in count due to fasting, and other properties were observed when exposed to cold.

If the adipocytes in the body reach their maximum capacity of fat, they may replicate to allow additional fat storage.

Adipocytes can synthesize estrogens from androgens, potentially being the reason why being underweight or overweight are risk factors for infertility.

Additionally, adipocytes are responsible for the production of the hormone leptin. Leptin is important in regulation of appetite and acts as a satiety (fullness) factor.

Images for kids

  • Yellow adipose tissue in paraffin section - lipids washed out

    Yellow adipose tissue in paraffin.

  • Proteolytic activation of SREBF-controlled lipid biosynthesis

    Proteolytic activation of SREBF-controlled lipid biosynthesis.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Adipocito para niños

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