Brown adipose tissue

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Brown Adipose Tissue

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) or brown fat (pronunciation: /braʊn ædɪˌpoʊs ˈtɪʃuː/ or /braʊn fæt/) makes up the adipose organ together with white adipose tissue (or white fat).

Etymology

The term "adipose" is derived from the Latin "adeps" meaning "fat". The term "brown" is used to describe the color of the tissue, which is due to the high number of mitochondria present.

Function

Brown adipose tissue is found in almost all mammals. Its primary function is to generate body heat. In contrast to white adipose tissue, which stores fat, brown adipose tissue burns fat to produce heat in a process known as thermogenesis.

Location

In humans, brown adipose tissue is present at birth and decreases with age. It is typically located in the neck and large blood vessels of the thorax, where it helps to warm the blood and, in turn, the body's core.

Related Terms

  • Adipocyte: The cell type that primarily composes adipose tissue.
  • Thermogenesis: The process of heat production in organisms.
  • Mitochondria: An organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur.
  • White adipose tissue: The type of fat that stores energy and is the most abundant in the human body.

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