The article provides a comprehensive overview of adipose tissue and its role in maintaining energy and metabolic homeostasis. It highlights the two main types of adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), and their distinct functions. WAT is an active endocrine organ that regulates insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and satiety, while BAT primarily participates in thermogenesis. The review discusses the two stages of adipogenesis: commitment and terminal differentiation, emphasizing the role of transcription factors such as PPARγ and C/EBP in this process. It also explores the molecular and mechanical cues that regulate adipogenesis, including WNT signaling, TGFβ superfamily signaling, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The article further delves into the epigenomic changes that occur during terminal differentiation, particularly the activation of PPARγ and the coordination of C/EBP proteins. Finally, it highlights the conservation of adipocyte gene activation across species and the unique requirements for brown adipocyte differentiation. The authors conclude by discussing the potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases and the need for further research to understand the physiological integration of adipogenic commitment and terminal differentiation.The article provides a comprehensive overview of adipose tissue and its role in maintaining energy and metabolic homeostasis. It highlights the two main types of adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), and their distinct functions. WAT is an active endocrine organ that regulates insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and satiety, while BAT primarily participates in thermogenesis. The review discusses the two stages of adipogenesis: commitment and terminal differentiation, emphasizing the role of transcription factors such as PPARγ and C/EBP in this process. It also explores the molecular and mechanical cues that regulate adipogenesis, including WNT signaling, TGFβ superfamily signaling, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The article further delves into the epigenomic changes that occur during terminal differentiation, particularly the activation of PPARγ and the coordination of C/EBP proteins. Finally, it highlights the conservation of adipocyte gene activation across species and the unique requirements for brown adipocyte differentiation. The authors conclude by discussing the potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases and the need for further research to understand the physiological integration of adipogenic commitment and terminal differentiation.