Triglyceride Formation via Ester Bonds

Steps:

• Glycerol molecule has three hydroxyl (-OH) groups available for bonding.
• Each fatty acid attaches to one -OH group through a condensation reaction, forming an ester bond and releasing a water molecule.
• Three fatty acids are required to fully saturate glycerol, completing the triglyceride.
• Therefore, exactly three condensation reactions occur in total.

Why C is correct:

• Triglycerides are defined as glycerol esterified with three fatty acids, requiring three condensation reactions per the biochemistry of lipid synthesis.

Why the others are wrong:

• A. 1: Forms only a monoglyceride, not a full triglyceride.
• B. 2: Produces a diglyceride, leaving one -OH group unreacted.
• D. 4: Glycerol has only three -OH groups, so no fourth reaction is possible.

Final answer: C