What is the process of fat decomposition called?

The process of fat decomposition is called lipolysis. This term specifically refers to the breakdown of lipids, which are fats, into their component parts, such as glycerol and free fatty acids. Lipolysis is an essential biological process that occurs during fat metabolism and plays a crucial role in energy production for the body.

Understanding this process is vital, particularly in contexts such as biochemistry, nutrition, and metabolism, where the breakdown of fats is important for energy mobilization, storage, and overall metabolic function. Other terms, while related to decomposition or breakdown processes, refer to different mechanisms. Autolysis refers to the self-digestion of cells through the action of their own enzymes, necrosis involves premature cell death due to injury or disease, and putrefaction is the decomposition of organic matter, often associated with microbial action following death. Thus, while all these processes involve breakdown, lipolysis is distinct in its specific focus on fats.