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brown fat n a mammalian heat-producing tissue occurring esp. in human fetuses and newborn infants and in hibernating animals called also brown adipose tissue
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a form of fat in adipose tissue that is a rich source of energy and can be converted rapidly to heat. There is speculation that a rapid turnover of brown fat occurs to balance excessive intake of food and unnecessary production of white fat (making up the bulk of adipose tissue). Some forms of obesity may be linked to lack of - or inability to synthesize - brown fat.
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brown adipose tissue.Medical dictionary. 2011.